Sarah Moosazadeh

Journalist

United States

Washington DC based multimedia journalist with an appetite for sharing stories about different cultures, societal issues and arts, in the hopes of creating a positive impact in the world.

Contact: [email protected]

Portfolio

The National

News Packages

Full Measure
09/20/2020
Follow the Money: 2020 Congressional Pig Book

This year, almost $16-billion tax dollars have been spent on questionable government projects. Citizens Against Government Waste, a non-profit watchdog group, is calling out government waste in its latest report: the Pig Book. Lisa Fletcher talks with the group’s head, Tom Schatz. Lisa Fletcher: What's the Pig Book?

Clips

Politics

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/03/2018
Williams Touts Support for Trump, Bump Stocks

This is one of five profiles of Republican candidates for Georgia governor. In each, the AJT seeks the candidate's views on issues of particular interest to the Jewish community. See links to the other four profiles, as well as our dual profile of the two women seeking the Democratic nomination, below.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/03/2018
Cagle Emphasizes Experience, Promises 500K Jobs

This is one of five profiles of Republican candidates for Georgia governor. In each, the AJT seeks the candidate's views on issues of particular interest to the Jewish community. See links to the other four profiles, as well as our dual profile of the two women seeking the Democratic nomination, below.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/03/2018
Hill Seeks Restoration of Conservative Principles

This is one of five profiles of Republican candidates for Georgia governor. In each, the AJT seeks the candidate's views on issues of particular interest to the Jewish community. See links to the other four profiles, as well as our dual profile of the two women seeking the Democratic nomination, below.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/03/2018
Tippins Puts SEAL, Business Skills Before Politics

This is one of five profiles of Republican candidates for Georgia governor. In each, the AJT seeks the candidate's views on issues of particular interest to the Jewish community. See links to the other four profiles, as well as our dual profile of the two women seeking the Democratic nomination, below.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/03/2018
Small-Business Frustration Compels Kemp to Run

This is one of five profiles of Republican candidates for Georgia governor. In each, the AJT seeks the candidate's views on issues of particular interest to the Jewish community. See links to the other four profiles, as well as our dual profile of the two women seeking the Democratic nomination, below.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/25/2018
Silcox Challenger Separates Politics From Religion

Gavi Shapiro is not letting politics interfere with his principles as an Orthodox Jew while running against incumbent Deborah Silcox in the Republican primary for Georgia's 52nd House District on May 22. The young entrepreneur has established himself as a technology expert and, together with a few friends, started a business that provides tech support to small businesses and specializes in the computer needs of small-business owners.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/25/2018
Silcox Stands by Legislative Record

Rep. Deborah Silcox faces opposition in the Republican primary for Georgia's 52nd District from Gavi Shapiro on May 22, but the freshman lawmaker said she is not worried because she addressed a number of issues during this year's Georgia General Assembly session. Most of the 52nd is in Silcox's native Sandy Springs, with a slice of Buckhead added.

Middle East

ArabAmericanNews
12/10/2022
Assyrian American comedian's humor unites different Middle Eastern cultures

This article was contributed by Sarah Moosazadeh, special to The Arab American News A pair of reading glasses, headscarf and a dose of Middle Eastern humor are all traits Assyrian American comedian and influencer Ramina Odicho uses to post comedic TikTok clips that depict her Assyrian roots and build ties with other ethnicities.

The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
'Tehran' cast bridges Israeli, Iranian cultures

The hit KAN drama Tehran features espionage and reveals everyday challenges Iranian citizens face. It also presents a cast that has built ties between two cultures and nations that have been long-time enemies. In a recent phone interview, director Daniel Syrkin and Iranian-American actor Shaun Toub shared their thoughts about the series and building bridges between Iranians and Israelis.

The Iranian
05/20/2019
Gay Iranian Artist Shares Refugee Story Through Art | The Iranian

Veyron Pax always knew art was his calling but had a difficult time earning acceptance as a gay artist in his Iranian Kurdish hometown of Kermanshah. The 27-year old has had no such problem winning recognition in the United States however, for creating digital art that contrasts his life in Iran with his U.S.

The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
Israeli-Iranian singer unites different cultures

Dear Reader, As you can imagine, more people are reading The Jerusalem Post than ever before. Nevertheless, traditional business models are no longer sustainable and high-quality publications, like ours, are being forced to look for new ways to keep going. Unlike many other news organizations, we have not put up a paywall.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/10/2018
Shinshinim Feel Love After Opening Hearts to Israel

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta's Shinshinim, Lior Bar and Or Shaham, expected to spend the past year educating people in Georgia about their love for Israel but didn't know they would receive the community's love in return.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/10/2018
Israeli's Puppetry Transports Adults Across Time

Contemporary adult puppetry may be a mystery to many, but for Israeli puppeteer Yael Rasooly, the art form opens a magical door to human emotions. Atlanta audiences can experience those feelings at "Paper Cut," her solo show this month at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/16/2018
What Iranians Think About the Iran Deal

President Donald Trump's announcement Tuesday, May 8, that the United States is withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was perhaps prophesied. Not foreseen were Iranian claims that Iran upheld its commitment to the nuclear deal. Iranian-American journalist and commentator Negar Mortazavi, for example, wrote on her Twitter account: "Trump did not just leave the nuclear deal, he violated it.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/17/2018
Moosazadeh: A History of Iran's Revolutions

For many Iranians, the recent uprisings in Iran are a reminder of the religious fundamentalism, economic instability and oppression that have ruled Iran the past 40 years. Yet Iranian demonstrations are an anomaly and often stem from different factors. In 2009 the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad evoked anger among countless Iranians.

Algemeiner.com
10/17/2017
The Neve Shalom Synagogue Massacre in Turkey

More than 450 people were scheduled to attend a bar mitzvah at Istanbul's Neve Shalom Synagogue on September 6, 1986 - but the congregants' prayers were short-lived. On that day, terrorists working with Palestinian militant Abu Nidal, opened fire with automatic weapons inside the synagogue, killing 22 people, before dousing their bodies with gasoline and setting them on fire.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/03/2017
Traditions Preserve Judaism Before, After Iranian Exodus

Far before the 1979 revolution and chants of "Khomeini" swept through the streets of Tehran, Jews in Iran lived comfortable lives alongside their Muslim neighbors while practicing their religion under the shah's reign. Some cities had large Jewish populations, including Mashad and Shiraz, which Congregation Netzach Israel Rabbi Yehuda Boroosan says had 10,000 Jews and 13 synagogues.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/03/2017
Jewish State Gives Iranian Journalist Refuge

fearing her life was in danger in Turkey, she found support from Times of Israel Editor David Horovitz, who contacted Israeli officials and helped Amin move to Israel. While living in Iran, Amin reported on various events and wrote a series of books that caught the attention of the Islamic regime in Tehran.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/03/2017
Israeli Heart Art Fosters Mindfulness

When Israeli artists Maya Gelfman and Roie Avidan sought to become the change they wished to see in the world, they separated themselves from everyday routines and adopted a feeling of mindfulness, the main concept behind their public art project, Mind the Heart.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/30/2017
Volunteers in ATVs Help Secure Border

"Saving lives matters, even if it's just one," Mireia Pons, Yatar 's director of public relations and fundraising, told the AJT about the organization's elite volunteer counterterrorism unit, which strives to protect Israel's borders against terror attacks.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/08/2017
Birthright Israel Develops Fashion Sense

Liraz Mordechai is changing how Taglit-Birthright Israel participants view Israel through Fashionating Israel, an extension of the program that offers fashion enthusiasts the opportunity to learn more about Israel's evolving fashion scene. Mordechai served as Zara's training and development manager in Israel, overseeing the clothing retailer's styling, leadership and sales method while gaining further access to the fashion industry.

Atlanta Jewish Times
07/26/2017
West Bank Visit Gives Rabbi New Perspective

Congregation B'nai Torah Rabbi Joshua Heller didn't expect to celebrate his 18th wedding anniversary in a Bethlehem back alley Israelis are forbidden to enter. But he seized the opportunity after receiving an invitation from Encounter, which aims to increase Jewish leaders' knowledge and understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Atlanta Jewish Times
07/18/2017
Fellowship Connects Professors to Israeli Colleagues

When Zhaohui "Steve" Qin left for Israel at the start of June as one of 26 U.S. university professors participating in the 2017 Faculty Fellowship Summer Institute, "I thought we would just be visiting numerous universities and collaborating with colleagues, but I quickly realized it was much more than that."

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/21/2017
Israeli Street Art Cultivates Image of Love

Israel has expanded economically and culturally the past decade, paving the way for entrepreneurs and artists to establish themselves nationally and internationally. Tel Aviv-based visual artist Boaz Sides, known as UNTAY, is among the many artists who use their work to spread love through outlets in Israel and abroad.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/21/2017
Atlantans Support Sports as Path to Inclusion

Jewish Atlantans David and Merle Horwitz have joined forces with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the Israeli government and the Ruderman Family Foundation to invest in the flagship program for Israelis with disabilities, Israel Unlimited, and its new initiative, Friends for Healthy Living.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/13/2017
Move the Embassy, Ex-Ambassador Says

The time has come for the United States to correct a historical wrong and move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro told the 111th annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta on Wednesday, June 7.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/12/2017
Wilkins Gets Assist From Israeli Device

"One out of three individuals across the U.S. suffer from pre-diabetic symptoms or are prone to join the 30 million individuals who already possess the disease if they fail to properly manage their condition," said Shmuel Hershberg, the director of user engagement at Caesarea-based DarioHealth, which announced a partnership Thursday, June 8, with brand ambassador and nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins at a press conference with Chairman and CEO Erez Raphael in downtown Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/25/2017
Iranian-Americans: Regime Change Good for Region

Carpenter Drive in Sandy Springs was the scene of Iranian-American demonstrations Friday, May 19, related to Iran's presidential election, in which incumbent Hassan Rouhani won re-election against Ebrahim Raisi. Shawn Bahrami, who moved to Atlanta in 1976 and is a 32-year member of the Iranian Patriots Association, said that although Iran's international relations have improved under Rouhani, most Iranian-Americans mistrust those in power.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/11/2017
Bennett Emphasizes Hard Work, Strong Jewish Ties

When Naftali Bennett served in the Israel Defense Forces, he knew a soldier named Emmanuel Yehuda Moreno who worked his way to the top of the elite Sayeret Matkal special forces unit. "Moreno was not exceptionally talented or fast, but he worked hard to make his way to the top," the Israeli minister of education and Diaspora affairs told Atlanta Jewish Academy students Monday, May 8.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/11/2017
Israel Forms Security Ties With Neighbors

The Iranian nuclear deal did not satisfy Israel but may have improved the Jewish state's relations with some of its Sunni Muslim neighbors.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/11/2017
U.S. Rabbi Finds Home in Israeli Politics

When Rabbi Dov Lipman informed his grandmother he was moving to Israel with his wife and children, the last thing he expected was praise, but a phone conversation before his departure proved otherwise. "While traveling on a boat from a displaced persons camp to America, my grandmother often recounted that something was not right and the boat should have turned toward Israel instead.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/25/2017
Mission Explores ORT's Role in Israel's Future

When Jay Tenenbaum, then the ORT Atlanta director, wanted to nominate me for the ORT America Next Gen Mission to Israel, my response was yes before he could finish asking. I was ecstatic to return to Israel after many years, especially with an organization that means so much to me and countless other minority Jews around the world.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/03/2017
Israel Seeks Help to Close Arab Gaps

Israel is investing $3.5 billion to improve the condition of its Arab population because of the recognition that the country can't move forward while its largest minority lags. That national effort and the ways philanthropists can support it were the subject of a session at the Jewish Funders Network conference called "Five Years and 15 Billion NIS: Closing Gaps Between Israel's Jewish and Arab Citizens by 2022" on March 21.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/07/2017
Middle East Offers New Friends if Not Allies

The threats of terrorist organizations such as Islamic State and the aggressions of Iran have produced new levels of cooperation between Israel and many of its Arab neighbors. To expand on that topic, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta invited Ambassador Haim Koren, who served as Israel's ambassador to Egypt and South Sudan, to share his views on the new era of Israeli-Arab relations.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/20/2017
Persian Jews Gained From ORT in Iran

Although Iran was slowly modernizing during the 1950s, many Jewish Persian families lacked the necessary skills for employment. To combat poverty, vocational schools were established to teach skills and promote Jewish education, administered by the Alliance Israélite Universelle. ORT was among the educational institutions at work in Iran.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/15/2017
Migration Transforms America, Mideast

"Massive shifts in population and human rights have led to a desire for change," Dean Jacqueline Royster of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech said while presenting the third annual Leadership and Multifaith Program Symposium, held in conjunction with the Candler School of Theology at Emory.

AJT
01/19/2017
Obama's Exit Offers Israel Fresh Hope - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] Israel was unhappy with the U.S. approach to the Middle East throughout Barack Obama's presidency, Gil Hoffman told a gathering at Chabad of Cobb on Wednesday night, Jan. 11. "Obama mishandled the Palestinian situation from the beginning," said Hoffman, the chief political correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, who shared his insights...

AJT
05/10/2016
Women in Mideast Struggle for Rights - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] Women lag in rights across much of the Middle East, but they increasingly are taking prominent roles in protests against repressive regimes, according to a Power to Inspire Summit session on "Women's Human Rights Defenders: Challenges in the Middle East."

News, Culture, Arts, Education

Kol Habirah
10/18/2018
'A Shayna Maidel' and the Jewish American Dream

Despite their lack of resources, many refugees believe immigrating to America provides a better future. This dilemma was highlighted in Peace Mountain Theater’s production of “A Shayna Maidel,”

Timesofisrael
08/16/2018
Beth Tefillah Co-Presidents Defy Norm

Congregation Beth Tefillah's first female president, Danielle Seligmann, and youngest president, Adon Solomon, are not just fulfilling their fathers' legacies as they step into their new roles, but also their commitment to the community. For more than a decade, Seligmann and her family have been a part of CBT.

Timesofisrael
08/16/2018
Renovations Revive Bukharian Synagogue

Bukharian traditions and customs have helped preserve Congregation Beth Itzhak. The synagogue's rich history is embedded in its new wood carvings from Uzbekistan to be unveiled Sunday. Almost a year in the making, a series of carvings produced from walnut trees have been installed inside the synagogue's sanctuary.

Timesofisrael
08/09/2018
College Students Gain from Israel's Start-up Economy

Real-world experiences are some of the skills third-year Emory University law student Allison Berman is using today from her undergraduate involvement with TAMID Group: experimental learning through business in Israel. Berman, who still sits on the TAMID advisory board, is trying to bring 40 Emory law students to Israel in March 2019 to expose them to political, business and community leaders in the Jewish state.

Timesofisrael
08/09/2018
A Focus on Counterterrorism and Warfare

The lessons her Israeli father taught her along with her frustration defending her views on the Israel-Palestine conflict are what led Talia Katz to pursue an education in counterterrorism and asymmetric warfare in the Middle East. The University of Michigan rising senior recently spoke with the AJT about her experience this summer with The Fund for American Studies in Washington D.C.

Timesofisrael
08/09/2018
Digital Currency Alters Future of Transactions

Every day numerous transactions take place across the world, but technological innovations such as cryptocurrency and blockchains may change how consumers and companies conduct business in the future. Young professionals learned more about the topic during a panel discussion Aug. 2 sponsored by Conexx: America Israel Business Connector, at stable|kernel's new location, The Willoughby.

Timesofisrael
08/03/2018
North Springs Students in Limbo As Schools Open

North Springs Charter High School parents and students are already off to a tumultuous school year after the Fulton County school board decided to oust out-of-district, tuition-paying students, and then reversed its decision. Fourteen families affected by the decision, some of whom are Jewish, were notified over the Fourth of July holiday that their children would not be allowed to return to North Springs.

Timesofisrael
08/03/2018
AJMF's New Director Redefines Jewish Music

Pianist Joe Alterman's affection for Jewish musicians and melodies are some of the many qualifications he brings to his job as Atlanta Jewish Music Festival 's new director. Before returning home last year, the fourth-generation Atlantan lived and performed in New York, where he learned how to network and say "yes" to every opportunity that came his way.

Timesofisrael
07/26/2018
Interfaith Interns Prepare for Advocacy

Interns who work in the realm of advocacy may not always find a job that matches their passion. But learning from people who have succeeded before them may help them create their own opportunities. That opportunity was granted to 14 interns from various interfaith organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, Arthur M.

Timesofisrael
07/26/2018
JNF Offers Affordable Housing in Israel

Not everyone in Israel has to live in the most populated areas of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Jewish National Fund-USA's Housing Development Fund is pushing more affordable housing in the North and South, said JNF-USA's Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick.

Timesofisrael
07/19/2018
Something to Smile About

Dentistry has run in Michael Friedman's family for decades. His grandfather was a dentist and his great-grandfather before him. Today, Friedman uses his profession to treat Holocaust survivors pro bono. President of the Atlanta alumni chapter of the Jewish dental fraternity Alpha Omega for the past two years, Friedman discovered the Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health program.

Timesofisrael
07/18/2018
Temple Kehillat Chaim Welcomes New Rabbi

Rabbi Jason Holtz doesn't recall practicing Judaism at a young age. But after joining his high school's youth group, he changed his mind. That experience led him to build relationships and ultimately become Temple Kehillat Chaim 's new rabbi. Holtz is taking over from Rabbi Harvey Winokur, who founded and served at TKC for the past 42 years.

Timesofisrael
07/18/2018
Spiritual Leaders on Relationships

Relationships may not always be easy, but what keeps some from falling apart could be shared values, mutual respect and commitment from each partner to work together through difficult times.

Timesofisrael
07/18/2018
Young Israel of Toco Hills Wins OU Grant

Young Israel of Toco Hills has been awarded $5,000 by the Orthodox Union's Women's Initiative Challenge Grant to create the Women's Seder Avodat Yamim Noraim. The project, which aims to create an environment where women can spiritually and intellectually prepare themselves for Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe/High Holidays), was selected out of 93 applicants.

Timesofisrael
07/12/2018
Kidney Gives Ira Tedoff New Lease on Life

It's been nearly a year since Ira Tedoff received a kidney transplant. After two donors fell through, he considered dialysis. But a conversation with a friend's relative soon gave him another chance at life. The AJT first learned about Tedoff's dilemma in spring 2017 during a Renewal gathering at Young Israel of Toco Hills to share stories of people who need and who have donated kidneys.

Timesofisrael
07/12/2018
DNA Results Reunite Family 80 Years Later

For years Lisa Feiner assumed that her family was small since most had perished in the Holocaust. Yet after obtaining some DNA test results and a photo from 1924, she made an incredible discovery. When Feiner's mother passed away in 2011, she left a photo and a piece of hotel stationary which read "Gottfried 1924," with a list of names.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/28/2018
Pet Rescue Takes Flight

Few people have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, but for Temple Kol Emeth member Ben Singer that dream became a reality after he obtained his pilot's license and began volunteering with Pilots N Paws to rescue pets. As an insurance wholesaler for employee benefits for 20 years, Singer never imagined the heights his dreams would take him.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/28/2018
Atlanta Opens Arms to Repairing Our World

Jewish values, a strong identity and affinity toward service are traits Repair the World aims to promote among Jews. The nonprofit hopes to expand that viewpoint this summer by launching its eighth community in Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/29/2018
Boy Band Rocks Out for Charity

What began as an innate interest in playing Jewish folk songs grew into a band of seventh-graders from The Davis Academy who do more than just play music. They also give back to the community. "Friction" includes Carson Wolff on bass, Zach Friedman on drums, Jackson Crim as lead guitarist, and Sammy Effron as vocals and rhythm guitar.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/06/2018
Atlantans Turning 60 Reunite at Jewbilee

Before Moishe House or LEADS, young Jews in Atlanta connected through youth groups such as BBYO's Aleph Zadik Aleph and B'nai B'rith Girls. That enduring connection recently brought 60 people together for the 60th Jewbilee in Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/27/2018
Epstein Sends 40 Graduates Over the Rainbow

Many are unaware of the path their lives will take after graduation, but for 40 Epstein School eighth-graders, the journey seems less challenging, thanks to the values the school has instilled in them. Friends and family packed the Sandy Springs day school's gymnasium Wednesday, May 23, to celebrate graduation, scheduled 10 minutes before the air conditioning turned off.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/04/2018
Davis' 68 Grads Urged Not to Forget the Present

Between endings and beginnings, one moment - the present - often gets overlooked, Rabbi Micah Lapidus said during the Davis Academy 's 2018 graduation ceremony Thursday, May 31. That's a lesson the 68 members of the Class of 2018, the largest in Davis' history, will take to high school in the fall.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/30/2018
200+ Break Silence on Addiction, Mental Illness

Atlanta native and Temple Sinai member Arin Clements struggled for years with meth, heroin and other opioids. Her addiction worsened after her father left and her mother died of cancer. But after her sister's wedding, Clements decided to seek help. Before 2016, life for Jennifer Greenberg and her husband, Adam, seemed great.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/28/2018
College Graduation Shows Value of Coaching

Next Generation Men and Women co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Ben Sperling hardly knew the impact he would have on one boy's life until a chance encounter years later in downtown Atlanta. Sperling grew up in a Conservative Jewish household where he learned the principles of tikkun olam (repairing the world) at a young age.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/22/2018
Nursing Degree Fulfills Persian Family's Dreams

Jewish Iranian-American Jessica Nooriel believes her graduation from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory fulfills not only her dreams, but also those of her parents, who were forced to flee Iran. Nooriel studied nursing at Emory because of the program's accessibility to undergrads and her interest in medicine, she said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/17/2018
Barnsley Offers Timeless Home Away From Home

Drive past Adairsville's acres of farmland along a winding road known as CCC and you will see signs for Barnsley Resort. The hour ride northwest of Atlanta leads to an enchanting village that transports you to another dimension.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/17/2018
Indoor Flying Is a 100-mph Rush

There are not many places to get the stimulation of free-falling, which perhaps is why iFly is different. Eager to experience the thrill of skydiving, I recently visited the Cumberland location to try the indoor sport.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/10/2018
Pinup Fashion Empowers Women With Nostalgia

Pinup model Shellie Schmals recalls as a child dancing with her father on weekends while playing 1950s records in the background. The experience is one of many that spurred her affinity for vintage and pinup. Schmals grew up listening to artists such as Elvis and Chuck Berry and watching television shows such as "Happy Days" and movies such as "American Graffiti."

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/08/2018
Izzy Maternity Goes Beyond Moms-to-Be

Israel Vahaba has managed Izzy Maternity for 33 years. In that time, he has witnessed a shift in fashion and his customers' average age, but the one thing that hasn't changed, he said, is the quality of clothes he sells.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/22/2018
Love Unwavering as Israel Evolves, AJC Is Told

Flare-ups in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict such as the violence in recent weeks on the Gaza border can force the religious community to speak up and enter the challenging realm of politics, said Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus of The Temple.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/07/2018
Differences Set Van Michael a Cut Above

Hairstyles have come and gone, but Van Michael Salon has tried to provide customers a different experience for 34 years. After opening in 1984 at 39 W. Paces Ferry Road, which remains Van Michael's biggest and most visited location, the salon has eight locations across metro Atlanta, including the new Van Michael Men, a barbershop that opened in February at the Battery Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/02/2018
Riverwood Friends Honor Brain Cancer Battle

Riverwood seniors Sophie Yagoda and Lily Schneider didn't just want to make a difference when their friend Brantley Dobbs died of DIPG, a malignant pediatric brain tumor. They also sought to apply the lessons they learned at the Epstein School. Lily and Sophie were introduced to Brantley through Ian's Friends Foundation, which funds research dedicated to overcoming pediatric brain cancer.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/02/2018
Pain Worth Gain For Ben Levy After Donating Marrow

Atlanta trial lawyer Ben Levy was about to approach the Kotel when his father, Robert, sent him a text, telling him that a relative was accepting the bone marrow Levy had donated weeks earlier. Levy could not think of a holier place to receive the news.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/30/2018
Robotic Arm Helps Drummer Beat Disability

Georgia Tech professor Gil Weinberg has worked on musical robots for years, but after drummer Jason Barnes asked him to create a prosthetic that would help him perform again, Weinberg began experimenting with new technology. Six years ago Weinberg received an email from Atlanta Institute of Music instructor Eric Sanders, who introduced Weinberg to Barnes.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/19/2018
Sniper Instructor: FIDF Donations Crucial

His military friends called him an idiot for eating sandwiches with sand and standing in the sun when he could be partying at college, but Israel Defense Forces Sgt. Yaniv's cultural connection to Israel represented a stronger calling. The 22-year-old was born in Be'er Sheva and grew up in Jerusalem before moving to Seattle, where he lived for nine years.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/18/2018
Tourism to Israel Keeps Smashing Records

With new hotels seemingly arising on every corner, a lively nightlife, and enough restaurants and museums to satisfy a range of appetites, Israel's tourism has boomed the past few years. One of the reasons tourists flock to Israel is because people understand it's a safe trip now, SRI Travel President Renee Werbin said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/19/2018
Red Pepper Off to Sizzling Start in Brookhaven

Quality ingredients and a family-friendly atmosphere are not the only reasons chef Mimmo Alboumeh's Red Pepper Taqueria is doing well since opening in Town Brookhaven, but they are among the many. After launching four weeks ago, the third location of Alboumeh's spicy local chain has attracted mass attention, which the chef-owner attributes to its location.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/15/2018
5 Students Blamed for Anti-Semitic Graffiti

Milton police arrested five high school students Friday, April 13, in connection with anti-Semitic graffiti discovered on a Jewish family's driveway four days earlier. Hilary Karp opened her garage door Monday morning, April 9, to find "(Expletive) you" written in shaving cream on her driveway above the Star of David with "Jew" in the middle.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/19/2018
Trump, Obama Share Mideast Goals, Not Tactics

When pro-Israel people evaluate the U.S. president, they focus on his attitude toward Israel, but his views on the Middle East as a whole determine his stance on Israel, Michael Doran says. The Middle East expert said Syria is a key difference.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/13/2018
Israel Is Unsurprisingly Unfinished at Age 70

Israel has done a lot in 70 years in comparison with the United States at the same age in 1846, said Ken Stein, the president of the Center for Israel Education, but it remains to be seen where the country is headed and how it will fit into the continuum of Jewish history.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/18/2018
Anti-Semitism, Forgetfulness Haunt Yom HaShoah

A crowd of young and old community members gathered on a rainy day to commemorate Yom HaShoah and honor the lives of 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. The weather forced the Marcus Jewish Community Center ceremony inside from the Besser Holocaust Memorial Garden.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/10/2018
1948 War Veteran Haunted by Experiences

When you ask Cobb County resident Chaim Avneri what he remembers about the Israeli War of Independence, he says he tries not to. But the sacrifices he and others made to ensure Israel's birth can never be forgotten. Born in Russia in 1927, he and his family fled in 1929 in a small boat to Marseille to escape communism.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/05/2018
Polish Atrocities in Holocaust Echo Across Decades

Poles under occupation in World War II killed more Jews than they killed Germans, Jan Gross told an audience at Emory University. The number of Jews killed by Poles in Poland was a small fraction of the total killed by Nazis, but the plunder and killing of Jews by their neighbors were not insignificant.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/02/2018
Slain Survivor's Memorial Targets Anti-Semitism

A small but vigilant crowd gathered on short notice on a windy day roughly 30 hours before the start of Passover for an American Jewish Committee-organized memorial for 85-year-old Holocaust survivor Mireille Knoll, who was stabbed and burned in her home March 23 in Paris.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
Jewish Pole Vaulters Soar Toward Records, Titles

The concept of l'dor vador resonated with Davis Academy middle school social studies teacher Matthew Barry after he witnessed one of many Pole Vault Atlanta Jewish athletes nearly break his Georgia record at the New Balance National Championships.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
Infertility Struggle Calls for Support, Not Shame

Lynn Goldman was pushing a stroller with her twins inside when a passer-by asked, "Are they real?" It took Goldman a while to realize the person was asking whether her children were created by in vitro fertilization, but she felt pain from the remark instantly.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
PJ Our Way Helps Kids Choose Their Own Adventure

Choice is key part of PJ Our Way, an extension of PJ Library that enables kids to build leadership skills and create their own experiences, says the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta 's family impact manager, Nathan Brodsky.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
Iranian-Jewish Refugee Sees Parallels With Muslims

Walking through the streets of Shiraz one day, Hengameh Pourfakhr and her friends were scolded by a basij officer for laughing in public. The encounter was the last straw for Pourfakhr, who packed her suitcase and fled Iran.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
Persian Jewish Traditions Influence Seder

As Iran's political climate began to turn in the late 1970s, Safa Nooromid's family sensed the need to escape. Her father suggested they travel to Israel for a short while until things settled down. They didn't know they were leaving everything behind and locking the doors to their home for the last time.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
Bukharian Refugee Recounts Hardships in U.S.

Excitement filled Nelly Iskhakova when she and 30 of her family members boarded a plane in 1991 to travel from Uzbekistan to America. But she didn't know the journey that awaited her. After Iskhakova's relative brought news that the family could leave the country as refugees, she and her husband were in shock.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/27/2018
Iraqi Jew Tells Forgotten Story of Escape

As government upheaval spread through Iraq in the 1940s and late '60s, many Iraqi Jews fled as refugees. Americans know little of the millennia-old community's history, but Iraqi Jew Maurice Shohet shared one of many untold stories.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/24/2018
Atlantan's in the Room Where 'Hamilton' Happens

Parents usually advise their children to stay in school, but Jennifer Geller's mother encouraged her to skip out of school to pursue acting. Listening to that advice led Geller to a role with the traveling company of " Hamilton."

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/15/2018
AJA Students Walk Out Later for Jewish Values

Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School students joined thousands of their peers across the nation to walking out of class Wednesday, March 14, in memory of the 14 teens and three adults slain in the Parkland shooting one month earlier. But while most students demonstrated at 10 a.m., AJA students waited until 1:20 p.m.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/12/2018
Hebrew Immersion Camp Builds Bond to Judaism

Hebrew immersion programs at Jewish day camps offer benefits that persuade some parents to enroll their kids every summer. Learning Hebrew helps kids connect with Israel and their Judaism, Camp Isidore Alterman Director Abby Paulson said. The Marcus Jewish Community Center helps build that bridge at Isidore Alterman through its Hebrew immersion program, Gesher.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/12/2018
Cancer Doesn't Matter at Aurora Day Camp

Enrolling in summer camp is inconceivable for many children diagnosed with cancer. But this June the Sunrise Association is opening Aurora Day Camp, its eighth camp and first in Atlanta, for children who have cancer and their siblings.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/12/2018
Jewish Camps Offer Refuge After Tragedies

Jewish summer camps in Georgia have experienced a painful offseason. The 17 people slain at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14 included Camp Coleman alumna Alyssa Alhadeff and four other Jewish students, and many students at the heavily Jewish public school had ties to Coleman, Camp Ramah Darom or Camp Barney Medintz in the North Georgia mountains.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/07/2018
700 Help News' Youngest Daughter Marry

Dassie New's fondest memory of her youngest daughter's wedding is the dance her grandchildren performed for the bride and groom at the reception. It was the fifth and largest wedding organized by Planning Makes Perfect founder Alyson Pollack for Congregation Beth Tefillah Senior Rabbi Yossi New's children.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/08/2018
Danz's Double: Mitzvah Expo Hits 13, Gets Hitched

Shelly Danz is no stranger to organizing simchas. She is the founder of Atlanta Party Connection, which just celebrated its own bar mitzvah Feb. 25 after hosting its 13th Bar & Bat Mitzvah Expo, and she also is the new owner of Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/24/2018
Orthodox Community Confronts Sexual Harassment

The Orthodox Jewish community isn't immune to the types of sexual misconduct that sparked the #MeToo movement the past year. "Sexual harassment in the community is routine," Congregation Beth Jacob Rabbi Ilan Feldman said. "The conversation in the Orthodox community I think needs to start before we get to sexual harassment or protecting women or being decent to women.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/21/2018
Purim Baskets Support AMIT Schools in Israel

Keren Fisher's goal isn't to build bridges in the community when she and other volunteers package Purim baskets to help fund AMIT Children in Israel, but it is one of her achievements. AMIT Children is a network of 100 schools. They are in Israel's poorest and wealthiest neighborhoods and everywhere in between, Fisher said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/21/2018
Ottoman Empire Carried Sephardim Up and Down

The expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the 15th century led to the creation of a distinct Sephardic Jewish community in the Ottoman Empire until its collapse in the 20th century. For thousands of years before the resettlement of Sephardim, Greek-speaking Jews lived in the lands of the Ottoman Empire and possessed their own liturgy, customs and culture.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/15/2018
Witness to Devastation in Puerto Rico

Much of Puerto Rico remains devastated and faces problems with supplies of power, food and fresh water almost five months after Hurricane Maria swept across the island at Category 4 strength. The storm killed more than 100 Puerto Ricans, who are American citizens, and the lingering unhealthy conditions are suspected of killing hundreds more.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/15/2018
HIAS, JF&CS Helped Settle Jewish Refugees in Atlanta

Almost 30 years have passed since my parents emigrated from Iran to Atlanta to escape persecution. They were among countless Jewish refugees who resettled in the area with the help of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Some Jewish refugees have assimilated; others have not.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/15/2018
AJA Immortalizes Polish Holocaust Survivors

Women of all ages gathered for this year's Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School Chagiga play, "The Might of Right," which recounts stories of bravery relayed by community Holocaust survivors. The musical production premiered Sunday, Feb. 4, with tea and desserts before the show, then had another performance the next day.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/13/2018
Arno, Frantz Are Top Two at Power of One

More than 300 guests gathered to honor 27 people from Atlanta's Jewish organizations who have demonstrated empathy to people with disabilities at the fourth annual Power of One reception Sunday, Feb. 11. This year's program drew 100 more attendees than last year, filling every seat at the Selig Center.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/08/2018
Emory Lecture Turns to Ottoman Empire

The five-century history of Sephardic Jews in the Ottoman Empire is the topic of the 22nd annual Tenenbaum Family Lecture in Judaic Studies on Monday, Feb. 12. "So much of what we do is focused on the Ashkenazi world, so we wanted to do something focused on the Sephardic world as well," said Eric Goldstein, the director of Emory University's Tam Institute for Jewish Studies.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/06/2018
How Israeli Tech Assists Philips Arena, Hawks

A crowd of young professionals packed Philips Arena 's Comcast Business Zone on Wednesday, Jan. 24, to hear Jason Parker discuss the facility's use of Israeli technology. As the vice president of customer service and operations for the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena, Parker handles roles including guest services, ushering and premium services.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/30/2018
Breman Exhibit Preserves Iraqi Jewish Heritage

Iraq had a flourishing Jewish community until political regimes forced most Jews to leave. Only a few remain, but people can view their rich culture at the Breman Museum's latest exhibit, " Discovery and Recovery: Preserving Iraqi Jewish Heritage," running through April 29.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/30/2018
'ICU Grandpa' Comforts Babies at Scottish Rite

When you first hear David Deutchman's voice, you feel a sense of warmth and kindness. The tone matches his personality and is perhaps why babies embrace him when he volunteers as a "baby buddy" at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/30/2018
DeKalb Teacher Accused of Abuse, Anti-Semitism

A teacher has been removed from the classroom at Peachtree Charter Middle School more than a month after students reported viewing a graphic video in class and accused him of physical abuse and anti-Semitic comments to Jewish students.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/24/2018
Israeli Consulate Welcomes New Political Adviser

Maya Fidelman's attraction to people instead of molecules made her forgo a position at Teva Pharmaceuticals to pursue a career in politics, a passion she is fulfilling as the Israeli Consulate's new Israeli political adviser. Fidelman's political career began during a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while she was studying for her master's in diplomacy.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/23/2018
Double Standard for Free Speech Seen on Campus

Jewish college students can go to school anywhere and nowhere to feel safe, former University of California President Mark Yudof told a packed room at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead on Tuesday night, Jan. 16.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/18/2018
Koresh's Dances Move Through Mideast, Emotions

Dance is a form of storytelling for Koresh Dance Company 's artistic director, Ronen Koresh. It's also a platform to share his Yemenite culture. Koresh comes from a long line of dancers, most notably his mother, who would accompany him to folk dances. He later became interested in club dancing.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/17/2018
Davis 7th-Graders Hit Road to Compare Religions

Encouraging students to learn about the world around them through different perspectives is one of the Davis Academy 's main objectives. It is also part of an integrated unit of study in conjunction with the middle school's comparative religion course.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/09/2018
Lefont Theater Sold, Becomes Springs Cinema

After more than 13 years under George Lefont's ownership, the Lefont Sandy Springs Theater has been sold to East Cobb resident Brandt Gully. The sale was finalized Nov. 8., ending Lefont's four decades as a movie theater owner. The film enthusiast once ran such venues as the Landmark Plaza Theater, the Silver Screen in Buckhead and the Garden Hills Cinema.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/09/2018
Food Paves a Parsi-Jewish Passage to India

Food's power to educate people about cultures united Parsi chef Meherwan Irani (owner of Chai Pani), Jewish chefs Todd Ginsberg ( The General Muir) and Eli Kirshtein (formerly The Luminary), and Indian chef Archna Becker ( Bhojanic) for Challah Walla, an evening of delicious food and discussion about cultural similarities between Jews and Parsis on Dec.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/09/2018
4 Questions With Mark Yudof

Mark Yudof had a front-row seat for the rise of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement on American college campuses as the president of the University of California from 2008 to 2013. Now as an emeritus law professor at UC Berkeley and the chair of the Academic Engagement Network's advisory board, the constitutional law expert speaks nationally on issues of BDS, free speech and academic freedom.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/03/2018
AJA's Lower School Performs Winnie the Pooh

Atlanta Jewish Academy visited the house at Pooh Corner for the Lower School's performance of "Winnie the Pooh Kids." AJA first- through fourth-graders put on the show twice, on Sunday, Dec. 17, and Thursday, Dec 21. Photos by Sarah Moosazadeh

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/03/2018
Innovative Techniques Help People Trace Their Genealogy

Gary Palgon has worked on genealogy since he was 13 and traced his family to the 1600s in Lyakhovichi, Belarus. He expanded on his findings and offered the Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia some techniques to create, access and analyze records Dec. 3 at the Breman Museum.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/03/2018
Persian Artist Preserves Jewish Heritage

Art is an addiction for Jewish Persian painter Dana Nehdaran as it is a platform to share his culture and connect the past and present. His latest series, "Esther's Children," uses contemporary art to showcase people and faces highlighting his heritage.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/19/2017
Reform Movement Fights for Israeli Awareness

Debates about Israel's relationship with the Diaspora, its stance on pluralism and the Reform movement's ability to attract people have grown heated at times this year. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government angered non-Orthodox Jews outside Israel by suspending an agreement on an egalitarian space at the Western Wall and pushing legislation to strengthen ultra-Orthodox authority over conversions within the Jewish state.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/19/2017
Europe Struggles to Accept Islam

European attitudes toward Islam have shifted since 9/11 regarding the religion's compatibility with democracy, its future in Europe and the refugee crisis. Islam in Europe was discussed in great detail at the American Jewish Committee university luncheon with the American Council on Germany on Monday, Dec. 11.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/19/2017
Rabbi Bortz's Silence Leads to Self-Healing

Rabbi Analia Bortz lost her voice while she took prescription painkillers after a running accident four years ago, and that experience led her on a journey of self-healing that she recounts in her new book, "The Voice of Silence." Doctors advised Rabbi Bortz, a physician herself, to have surgery, but she refused.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/15/2017
Teen Initiative Aims to Drive Engagement

The Atlanta Jewish Teen Initiative is launching programs more than a year after the Jim Joseph Foundation announced it was giving an Atlanta partnership $2.1 million over five years to engage more teenagers with the Jewish community.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/13/2017
JELF Raises $213K to Continue Support for Students

The Jewish Educational Loan Fund 's support for higher education through interest-free loans brought more than 500 community members together Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Westin Perimeter in Sandy Springs for JELF's annual meeting and year-end celebration.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/07/2017
Judaism Needs to Tweak Branding, Not Content

Communities must find ways to connect Judaism's traditional strengths to people who fell left out because of youth, lack of knowledge or other barriers, more than 800 attendees were told at the closing plenary of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism biennial convention Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/06/2017
Chabad Israeli Center Welcomes New Torah

More than 200 people from East Cobb, Dunwoody, Toco Hills and Brookhaven gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Chabad Israeli Center Atlanta and the dedication of its Sephardic Torah in memory of Reuven Manoah of the Crown Holding Group on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/06/2017
PJ Baby Connector Creates Jewish Engagement

A new initiative of Jewish book club PJ Library is striving to help interfaith, single-parent and unengaged families with young children enhance Jewish learning and create deeper connections with the Jewish Atlanta community.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/06/2017
5Church Restaurant Feeds Midtown's Soul

The food and ambience of 5Church aren't the only reasons visitors keep coming back to the Midtown restaurant, owner Ayman Kamel says. The concept for 5Church began six years ago in Charlotte, N.C., after Kamel sought to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York.

Atlanta Jewish Times
12/04/2017
Cobb Coin Menorah to Benefit Children's

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman hopes to impart the charitable lessons behind Chanukah gelt through Chabad of Cobb 's project Lights of Change. To help tie the holiday's message of shedding light on a sometimes-dark world, Rabbi Silverman said, Chabad of Cobb is partnering with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to build the world's largest coin menorah, with the proceeds going to Children's.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/27/2017
ADL Helps Students Learn From Holocaust

How to confront racial prejudice and bigotry is one of many lessons Galloway School 11th-graders Eliza Frankel and Aden Simmonds brought home from the Anti-Defamation League 's 18th annual Grosfeld Family National Youth Leadership Mission to Washington from Nov. 5 to 8.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/21/2017
JF&CS Seeks Donations for Holiday Gifts

Thanksgiving marks the start of the secular winter holiday season, when many struggling Atlanta families seek assistance from local organizations. That's where Jewish Family & Career Services ' holiday gift program comes in.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/21/2017
AJA Student Fights Hunger With Desserts

When she visited the traveling exhibit of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger at the Marcus JCC in January, Atlanta Jewish Academy senior Maayan Schoen gained an understanding of Americans' everyday struggles with hunger. Her Jewish response was a Thanksgiving fundraiser to end hunger through Mazon's Food Fight campaign, which seeks to raise money through Nov.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/20/2017
Mediterranean Flavors Influence Atlanta Cuisine

When Israeli native Hagar Sides visited Kroger's hummus section for the first time, she was fascinated and overwhelmed by the variety of flavors, such as red bean and edamame, and wondered what had happened to hummus. How had it evolved from Israel to the United States?

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/20/2017
JELF, Oglethorpe Share Drive to Make Difference

Understanding the importance of higher education and its impact on students is one of many reasons Oglethorpe University President Larry Schall is serving as the keynote speaker at the Jewish Educational Loan Fund's 142nd annual meeting and year-end celebration Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/16/2017
Amazon's Whole Foods Cuts Off Creamery

Jewish-owned AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery has lost its best customer, Whole Foods, since Amazon closed its purchase of the eco-friendly grocery chain in August. Owner Ron Marks founded AtlantaFresh in September 2009. The company produces organic yogurts and fresh cheeses with milk from cows that are 100 percent grass-fed at Newberry Farm in Waynesboro.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/13/2017
Atlanta Recalls Kristallnacht

"Ninety-one Jews were killed, 30,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps, 5,000 Jewish shops were looted, and 191 synagogues were attacked," Rabbi Brian Glusman told community members gathered at the Marcus Jewish Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, to commemorate the 79th anniversary of Kristallnacht with a candle-lighting ceremony and a reading by guest speaker Alexandra Zapruder.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/13/2017
Cyclist's Lap Around U.S. Eases Childhood Cancer

When Glenn Hirsh was in third grade, he learned lessons about exercising and giving back that would help shape his life years later when he cycled to raise awareness about I Care I Cure after losing his nephew Ian to leukemia at age 11 in 2006.

Atlanta Jewish Times
11/07/2017
Headlines Capture What Georgians Knew During WWII

As Hitler's power spread throughout Europe in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Americans began to receive accounts of Nazi brutality through national and local newspapers. But even after Kristallnacht, which made front-page news in The Southern Israelite and other newspapers, the words weren't enough to convince Americans that policies needed to change.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/31/2017
Israel Bonds Award Honors Richard Kopelman

For Richard Kopelman, supporting Israel came naturally while he was growing up in a Zionist home. Now he is being honored for that passion with the Israel Bonds Star of David Award. Although Kopelman's father never traveled to Israel, he raised his children in the belief that it was imperative to support Israel.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/31/2017
Segregation Traces its Roots to Government Laws

Segregation and government policies have a long history together in the United States. Although laws are supposed to prevent the separation of whites and people of color, federal, state and local policies have continued to put some people at a disadvantage, said Economic Policy Institute research associate Richard Rothstein, who addresses the topic in his latest book, "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America."

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/31/2017
Israel Advocacy Main Battle for Ran Bar-Yoshafat

Defending Israel's right to exist is just as important off the battlefield as on it for former Israel Defense Forces special forces soldier Ran Bar-Yoshafat. The deputy director of the Kohelet Policy Forum spoke to a group of young professionals about anti-Semitism on college campuses, the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, and how people can strengthen their support for Israel during a Friends of the IDF young leadership program Tuesday, Oct.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/31/2017
Radow Lecture Provides Understanding on Terrorism

Responding to terrorism involves a clear understanding of the perpetrators, ideological shifts in the Middle East and other developments in the region, the founding director of GILEE, Robbie Friedmann, explained during the annual Paul and Beverly Radow Lecture at Kennesaw State University on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/31/2017
IDF Reservists Urge Students to Stand for Israel

While one grew up in a secular Jewish family in Las Vegas, the other lives in Tel Aviv, but together Joey and Eden are among six teams of two Israel Defense Forces reservists who are touring the United States through Nov. 5 as part StandWithUs ' ninth Israeli Soldiers Tour.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/31/2017
New Jewish Religious School Focuses on Excitement

To create an engaging, exciting and relevant experience for Jewish children is one of the main goals of the Atlanta Scholars Kollel's Morningside Sunday Experience, says the head of the new Sunday school for preschoolers through eighth-graders, Rabbi Mayer Freedman.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/20/2017
Visiting Rabbi Teaches Value of Mindfulness

How to reduce anxiety and worry is among the subjects Rabbi Laibl Wolf plans to discuss during his lecture on "Mindfulness and Jewish Meditation: Living Consciously in the Now" at Chabad Intown's Intown Jewish Academy on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/10/2017
Kosher Italian Bistro Coming to Toco Hills

Never telling customers no is only part of the philosophy for Formaggio Mio, said Scott Italiaander, the co-owner of the kosher restaurant opening sometime in the fall in Toco Hills. The Italian bistro will be a full-service restaurant providing quick-service options, including a pizza bar, as well as takeout and delivery for dishes ranging from pastas, salads and fish to sandwiches and paninis.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/10/2017
Bris Celebrates Baby's Irma-Assisted Arrival

The theme of unity and kindness spread throughout Toco Hills as locals gathered at Congregation Beth Jacob on Friday, Sept. 15, to celebrate the bris of Joseph and Adina Landsberg's son, Jesse Gabriel Landsberg, amid the recovery from Hurricane Irma.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/10/2017
Holocaust Survivor's Wedded Bliss Began at Beth Jacob

Sixty-four years ago, Holocaust survivor Lucy Rosenblith and Sam Carson joined Rabbi Emanuel Feldman and 10 guests in a small white house off Boulevard for the first marriage at which the rabbi officiated at Congregation Beth Jacob. It's a day Lucy Carson, now 86, remembers with clarity.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/03/2017
Singles Over 40 Find Dating Scene Lacking

The dating game in Jewish Atlanta is a common topic of discussion, but to gain a better perspective of what it's like for older singles, including those who are divorced or widowed, the AJT spoke with people over the age of 40.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/28/2017
Sandy Springs Highlights Jewish Role in City

The Atlanta Jewish community's history has long been intertwined with that of Sandy Springs, a realization that Heritage Sandy Springs and Temple Sinai hope to share with thousands of visitors in a new exhibit, "L'Chaim Sandy Springs! A Toast to Jewish Participation."

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/19/2017
Israeli Consulate Official Spreads Love for Culture

With a bachelor of arts in culture, the Israeli Consulate General's new director of cultural affairs, Yael Nehushtai, believes that she has found the perfect opportunity for her background and skills. "I've always loved culture and everything related to it.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/19/2017
IDF Lessons Serve Owner Well at Alon's

Jewish community members of all ages gathered at Alon's in Dunwoody on Thursday, Sept. 14, for a Conexx food, wine and networking event with guest speaker and host Alon Balshan, the Israeli-American owner of the bakery and restaurant.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/19/2017
ADL Head Excited by Atlanta History, Initiatives

With a deep appreciation for the civil rights era and the Anti-Defamation League's roots in the South, Allison Padilla-Goodman has taken on the role of ADL's Southeast regional director, based in Buckhead.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/19/2017
Irma Evacuees Thankful for New Atlanta Friends

Although most Jewish Florida evacuees have left after taking refuge from Hurricane Irma in Atlanta, their appreciation for the people and congregations who helped them remains. Of the 1,000-plus evacuees who found shelter in Toco Hills, one or two stayed for the High Holidays at Congregation Beth Jacob, Executive Director Rabbi Yitzchok Tendler said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/14/2017
Holocaust Survivors Inspired Cuban Prisoner

After pursuing a career in international development, Alan Gross sought to combine the positive aspects of his experiences in global trade and social work to become an international economic and community engagement adviser. That profession took him to more than 50 countries while he worked alongside private clients and government agencies, including the U.S.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/14/2017
Love of Israel Brings Shinshinim to Atlanta

One grew up in the urban streets of Rishon LeZion; the other was raised on a moshav. Together, Israeli high school graduates Or Shaham and Lior Bar are determined to share everything they know about Israel as Atlanta's new shinshinim during a service year before they enter the Israeli army.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/08/2017
Jewish Atlanta Opens Arms to Irma Evacuees

Synagogues and other Jewish organizations across Atlanta are welcoming people fleeing northward to escape the worst of Hurricane Irma, a strong Category 4 storm expected to hit South Florida on Sunday morning, Sept. 10.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/13/2017
Florida Evacuees Weather Irma in Atlanta

More than 1,000 Florida evacuees fleeing Hurricane Irma took refuge with Atlanta synagogues, only to see the tropical storm catch up to them in the metro area Monday, Sept. 11.

Atlanta Jewish Times
09/05/2017
Gender Disparities at Heart of Health Event

Since its origins in the 1970s, the issue of gender equity in medicine has affected countless women, said Hadassah 's health advocacy chair, Anne Davis. She highlighted ongoing issues related to disparities between men and women, including common reactions to medications related to heart disease, symptoms associated with men and women, and inadequate health care coverage.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/30/2017
Woodhouse Offers Oasis in Dunwoody

Since opening almost a year and a half ago, Woodhouse Day Spa has established itself as an oasis in the heart of Dunwoody, offering guests result-oriented body and skin treatments they will savor long after their visit.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/30/2017
AJA Student President Battles Hunger

Maayan Schoen's father is a civil rights lawyer, so the Atlanta Jewish Academy senior has grown up with an interest in civil rights that has led her to volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food Bank and promote causes that improve the community.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/22/2017
Beth Tefillah Changes to Keep Growing

Congregation Beth Tefillah strives to offer an authentic Jewish experience anyone can enjoy and benefit from regardless of religious affiliation. "The most important thing is that people remain connected to their heritage and that we provide that forum for everyone," said Rabbi Yossi New, who launched the congregation after arriving in Atlanta in January 1984 to start Chabad of Georgia.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/15/2017
3 Congregations Unite to Focus on Survival

Tisha B'Av, a day for lamenting Jewish disunity, presented the latest opportunity for three of Toco Hills' smaller congregations to unite for learning. New Toco Shul, Congregation Netzach Israel and Chevra Ahavas Yisrael shared much of the ninth day of Av, including a panel discussion held at the Chevra Ahavas Yisrael sanctuary at Torah Day School of Atlanta on Tuesday, Aug.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/15/2017
Lifelong Path Led Rabbi to Dor Tamid

When fellow second-graders were focusing on research projects about the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Bears, Jordan Ottenstein was learning about the Holocaust and Israel, so it's not surprising that he grew up to become a rabbi. Now he is the fourth senior rabbi at Congregation Dor Tamid, which hired him after a yearlong nationwide search.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/15/2017
Chabad Teen Time Gets Double Boost

To foster a stronger connection between youths and their identity within the Jewish community, Chabad of Cobb welcomed Rabbi Gedalya Hertz and his wife, Ruthy, as the congregation's new youth directors July 1. The Hertzes look forward to increasing engagement among teens in public schools and Jewish day schools in North Fulton and East Cobb to facilitate a greater appreciation for their heritage.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/08/2017
Mission Connects Atlanta Trio to IDF

When Allison Oreck, Shaina Gordon and Ben Levy heard about Friends of the Israel Defense Forces ' Young Leadership Mission to Israel, the Atlantans each grasped the opportunity to learn more about the IDF and increase awareness about the nonprofit FIDF's multiple endeavors.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/08/2017
Jew-Hatred by Any Name Just as Foul

The most common spelling of "anti-Semitism," with the lowercase a, the capital S and the hyphen, is wrong, Deborah Lipstadt says. According to the Dorot professor of modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies at Emory University, that spelling (used by the AJT) fails to capture the philosophical meaning of the word.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/02/2017
Resources Ready to Answer Anti-Semitism

After reporting on incidents of anti-Semitism in non-Jewish public and private schools in the Atlanta area, the AJT wanted to learn about the resources available to help teachers, administrators, parents and students respond to those issues.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/02/2017
Epstein Not Just Spinning Its Wheel With Logo

The Epstein School is welcoming students back this month with a new logo, which communications director Coleen Lou said represents the institution's fluidity in moving forward while remaining rooted in its heritage, symbolized by the blue Star of David in the logo's center.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/02/2017
Fulton Schools Work to Defend Diversity

Frustration and confusion sometimes follow incidents of harassment at schools because federal laws limit the information available to parents. "It is important for our parents to understand that we have very strict federal laws under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, which restricts us on what we can share," Fulton County Schools Assistant Superintendent Christopher Matthews said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/02/2017
Mental Health Initiative Launches at Or Hadash

Assisting people with mental illness has become Devi Knapp's main goal after her own bouts of depression over nearly 30 years. That's why she has co-founded Baken (In the Nest), a mental health collective that has support from Congregation Or Hadash and Rabbi Analia Bortz.

Atlanta Jewish Times
08/01/2017
Geography Guides Davis to Compare Religions

Learning occurs beyond the classroom, says Davis Academy eighth-grade social studies teacher Matthew Barry, who alongside sixth- and seventh-grade social studies teacher Joelle Jordan will teach comparative religion as part of the Reform Jewish day school's new seventh-grade curriculum.

Atlanta Jewish Times
07/18/2017
Johns Creek Teen Wins $36K Award

Evan Barnard's enthusiasm for nature began at a young age in the woods near his home. Now his passion for the outdoors has helped him become one of 15 recipients nationwide of the 2017 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, recognizing teens who strive to solve global issues within their communities through social change.

Atlanta Jewish Times
07/18/2017
CDC Exhibit Marks Loss, Heroics of Ebola Battle

More than 11,000 West Africans died in the Ebola epidemic from 2014 to 2016, and several thousand Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees responded, acting CDC Director Anne Schuchat said at the opening of the agency's exhibit on the outbreak in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Atlanta Jewish Times
07/18/2017
Teen Leads Special-Needs Tennis Camp

Daniel Stern's passion for tennis began at a young age while he watched his two older sisters compete. Now the 17-year-old plays for the Weber School and has helped create a summer camp for kids with special needs. After meeting Mike Pelta through the Friendship Circle, Stern discovered a connection and began spending time with his new buddy.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/27/2017
Lembeck Reflects on 4 Decades in 'Opportunity Business'

Emily Lembeck didn't set out to become a teacher, let alone the superintendent of Marietta City Schools, a position she held more than 11 years, but a chance encounter with a little girl in a Coney Island classroom changed the course of her life.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/26/2017
ISM CEO Gets Kick From Sports Licensing

Raymond Goldsmith's accomplishments range from becoming a professional soccer player for the English Premier League's Chelsea to producing pop videos for major artists. He didn't expect his passion for filmmaking to lead him into the video game industry, but the Atlanta resident has found success by doing business according to Jewish ethics.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/22/2017
Slurs, Swastikas Target Jewish Students

While sitting in class waiting for the bell to ring this past school year, a junior at North Springs Charter High School was scrolling through Snapchat when she discovered an image of Hitler with "My love 4 you burns like 6,000,000 Jews" written in red letters.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/14/2017
Larry Frank Honored for Devotion to Israel

The presentation of the Lifetime of Achievement Award to Larry Frank became a timely celebration of fatherhood and of Israel. "All children not only deserve their parents' unconditional love, but to actually feel the constant hug of that unconditional love. Our dad gave and continues to give such a gift.

Atlanta Jewish Times
06/07/2017
Gratitude, Passion Urged for 70 Davis Grads

The Davis Academy held its 18th graduation but its first at the Rosenberg Performing Arts Theater on Thursday, June 1, sending 70 eighth-graders to high schools including North Springs, Weber, Riverwood and Dunwoody. Head of School Amy Shafron asked the graduates to reflect on the experiences they shared at the school and to appreciate those who guided them along the way.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/18/2017
As Leaders Change, AJC Cites BDS Success

"Our goal is to help elevate AJC to the next level," American Jewish Committee Regional Director Dov Wilker said at AJC Atlanta's 73rd annual meeting Tuesday, May 9, at 103 West. For the 2016-17 fiscal year, he said, "we have raised over a million dollars and have over 600 sold-out seats for the Selig Distinguished Service Award Dinner honoring Beth and Gregg Paradies" on Wednesday, May 24.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/17/2017
Rabbis Share Tears of Joy, Sorrow 50 Years Later

Rabbi Emanuel Feldman was teaching an English course on the Torah in Jerusalem on May 22, 1967, when he noticed three Israel Defense Forces buses loading students who were also trained paratroopers. "That's when I realized the mobilization was no longer a cold, objective fact but reality.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/17/2017
Mitzvah Renews Kidney Donors and Recipients

"Living with kidney failure is a humbling and daunting experience for anyone struggling with the disease," Ira Tedoff said Sunday, May 7, at a kidney donation awareness event for the Renewal organization.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/11/2017
Bennett: IDF Defends Free World

When Adina Karpuj Bortz made aliyah from Atlanta and joined the Israel Defense Forces in 2015, her mother, Congregation Or Hadash Rabbi Analia Bortz, learned the value of Friends of the IDF. "I was happy to see her go, as that was the goal as proud Zionist parents, yet it then dawned on me: Who will hug her and console her tears?

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/10/2017
College Students Honored for Supporting Israel

Students from Emory, Kennesaw State, the University of Georgia, Georgia State and Georgia Tech were among the guests recognized for their involvement in pro-Israel organizations at the annual dinner with supportive college students hosted by Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer on Thursday, April 20.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/10/2017
Cantor's Daughter Sings a Song of Fitness

Judaism and fitness were entwined for Desiree Nathanson growing up in Sarasota, Fla., and inevitably led her to open her own studio, Interfusion Fitness. As the daughter of a cantor, Nathanson frequently accompanied her mom to synagogue and often served as a backup. But in addition to attending synagogue, Nathanson's parents worked out every day.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/01/2017
India, Israel Celebrate Past, Future Relations

The bilateral relations between the nations of India and Israel go back 25 years, but the cultural ties run much deeper. "The connection between India and Israel is based on shared values and democracy between two ancient countries who also share a mutual interest in security and globalization within their societies and communities," Indian Consul General Nagesh Singh said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/01/2017
12-Year-Old Makes Cancer Discovery

For most seventh-graders, a science fair project involves something on the complexity and importance of measuring the speed of an egg shell's erosion in different substances. Lovinggood Middle School seventh-grader Stephen Litt, however, devoted his project to discovering an antioxidant that could prevent the formation of breast cancer tumors.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/19/2017
Sing Us a Song About Escaping Nazis

With over 100 million records sold, Billy Joel is one of America's most popular music icons, but few of his fans know about his family's escape from Nazi Germany. To help bridge the gap, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, in partnership with the Atlanta-Nuremberg Sister Cities Committee, held an evening of entertainment and dialogue April 6 to highlight the Joel family's tumultuous past.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/18/2017
Baxter Safeguarded Survivors' Legacy

Liliane Kshensky Baxter devoted the past 13 years to preserving Holocaust survivors' stories at the Breman Museum's Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, a legacy she has passed to Rabbi Joseph Prass after retiring in March. Her emphasis was on the Holocaust's Jewish perspective. After repeatedly hearing "Why didn't the Jews do anything?"

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/12/2017
Latin Jews Struggle With Communal Confusion

Desiree Nathanson, an Atlanta Hawks trainer, seldom faced anti-Semitism growing up in Sarasota, Fla., where her mother served as a synagogue cantor. But her experience changed when she entered the workplace. "I hardly think about my Jewish identity because it is a part of me," Nathanson said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/05/2017
Roman Culture Survives Through Seder Traditions

The Jewish community in Rome is one of the oldest in Europe and is where Breman Jewish Heritage Museum community engagement director Ghila Sanders has her roots. Rome has roughly 13,000 Jews in an overall population of about 4 million, Sanders said.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/05/2017
Passover Helps Preserve Bukharan Culture

Strong ethnic roots and customs have kept Sophia Babayev's love of Judaism and Bukharan heritage unbroken in the 28 years since she left Uzbekistan. Babayev and her family were among the first Bukharan Jews to arrive in Atlanta on July 4, 1989, with the help of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/05/2017
AJA Students Take Mitzvah to Central Asia

"There is a difference between learning in the classroom and using one's knowledge to create an impact in the world," Devorah Chasen told the AJT about her recent trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, with fellow Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School junior Esther Benschitrit and sophomore Zoe Sokol to package matzah for the Jewish community.

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/03/2017
Groups Advised to Act Against Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism is rising, from college campuses to social media to email sent to Jewish journalists. But its most significant impact is on Jewish organizations' ability to help millennials preserve their identity, according to panelists at a Jewish Funders Network session March 20 on "Understanding Contemporary Anti-Semitism."

Atlanta Jewish Times
04/03/2017
For Now, OVS Stays Off Egalitarian Path

Congregation Or VeShalom has stood as Atlanta's traditional Sephardic synagogue for more than a century, and that legacy will continue after the congregation failed to amend its constitution to hire a rabbi for egalitarian services in a vote Sunday, March 19.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/31/2017
Chabad of Cobb Celebrates 4th Torah

Live music, dancing and community ties brought family and friends together to celebrate the inauguration of Chabad of Cobb 's fourth Torah on Sunday, March 26. The Torah was dedicated in memory of Rick Faber, late husband of Sheila Faber, and their loved ones gathered from near and far for the occasion.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/22/2017
Grandson Highlights Ben-Gurion's Success

"The declaration of the state of Israel was one the toughest decisions David Ben-Gurion had to make as Israel's first prime minister," his grandson Alon Ben-Gurion said Tuesday, March 14, during an interview with the AJT. Yet David Ben-Gurion was determined to fulfill his vision for a Jewish home and realized early on that he would have a war before he had a state.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/22/2017
Assistant Rabbi Picks Beth Jacob Over Baltimore

Rabbi Dov Foxbrunner didn't always know he would become a rabbi when he was growing up, but his strong connection to Judaism and his suburban upbringing in Silver Spring, Md., led him to become the new assistant rabbi at Congregation Beth Jacob.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/08/2017
Hadassah Cancer Event Again Reveals Big Hearts

More than 500 people helped raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer Saturday night, Feb. 25, at the Big Reveal for Breast Strokes, Hadassah Bares All for A.R.T. (Awareness, Research and Treatment). The event honored Debbi Chartash, Melody Maziar and Rina Wolfe, the women behind the Angels 4 Angels team, which has raised over $1.5 million to fund breast cancer research.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/02/2017
Kollel to Honor Longtime Supporter

When the Atlanta Scholars Kollel launched 30 years ago, Abe Levine was the first point of local contact. He located three homes for the organization and has continued to support it philanthropically and through Jewish education. Levine is regularly invited as a guest lecturer at college campuses and believes that supporting Israel is rooted in a person's connection to Judaism.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/02/2017
Community Honors Power of Inclusion

"Federation is thrilled to have so many local partners here. ... It is a testament to how dedicated this community is to becoming more inclusive and welcoming to everyone," Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta President and CEO Eric Robbins said at the third annual Power of One reception Sunday, Feb.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/22/2017
Ga. Refugee Resettlement Forced to Adapt

An invitation to speak to a Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta crowd Friday morning, Feb. 17, provided J.D. McCrary an opportunity to clear up confusion about U.S. refugee resettlement in light of President Donald Trump's efforts to limit the program.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/21/2017
Weber Grad Reunites Holocaust Survivor, Texas A&M

Joshua Williams is the first Weber School graduate to attend Texas A&M, but he had no idea how a single trip would influence his college search. During his junior year of high school, Williams decided to forgo Weber's trip to Poland and Israel and instead participate in the March of the Living.

Jewish Quarterly
02/20/2017
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival - Jewish Quarterly

Atlanta holds various associations within people's imagination. For some it is a stark reminder of the civil rights era, for others it signifies a simpler time in which everyday routines are embedded in country living. Atlanta's history is rooted in timeless classics such as Gone with the Wind to prominent museums such as the National ...

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/16/2017
Pro-BDS Voice Allowed to Speak for Jewish Atlanta

Atlanta has come a long way from the Jim Crow South to a vibrant city immersed in various cultures and religions. It has become a haven for those who seek a brighter future and those who wish to start a new life.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/15/2017
Kayongo: Refugees Fuel Marketplace of Skills

Most immigrants leave their home country because of a regime change or loss of economic stability, National Center for Civil and Human Rights CEO Derreck Kayongo said during the third annual Leadership and Multifaith Program Symposium in Atlanta on Monday, Feb. 6.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/09/2017
Engagement, Not Guilt, Key for Future Donors

Giving is a part of the Jewish community's philosophy of tikkun olam (repairing the world), yet past strategies might not compel the next generation of donors. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta confronted that problem Friday, Feb.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/09/2017
Hadassah Big Reveal to Honor 3 Angels

Hadassah Greater Atlanta will honor Debbi Chartash, Melody Maziar and Rina Wolfe at the annual Breast Strokes fundraiser benefiting breast cancer and genetic research Saturday night, Feb. 25. The three women form the Angels 4 Angels team, raising cancer research money in memory of angels Lori Fierman, Jill Albert and Debbie Sonenshine, all of whom died of breast cancer before age 50.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/07/2017
Aprio Comes Next for Habif, Arogeti

One of Jewish Atlanta's venerable names in accounting is going away. Habif, Arogeti & Wynne is rebranding itself as Aprio, the Sandy Springs-based, accountant-led business advisory firm announced in mid-January.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/02/2017
'Temple Bombing' Brings Atlanta Together Again

The Temple, Atlanta's oldest Jewish congregation, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and it commemorated one of the most important moments in its history Tuesday, Jan. 31, with a preview and discussion of a new Alliance Theatre production, " The Temple Bombing." The Rev.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/31/2017
Bonds Dinner to Honor 2 Emanu-El Couples

Two couples who are members of Temple Emanu-El are being honored with the Israel Bonds Star of David Award at a dessert reception Tuesday night, Feb. 21, for demonstrating a strong commitment to Israel and providing outstanding leadership and devotion.

AJT
01/24/2017
Mazon Exhibit Demonstrates What Hunger Is - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] "Hunger transcends all ethnic backgrounds and faiths," said Rabbi Brian Glusman, the Marcus Jewish Community Center's director of membership, engagement and community outreach. The Marcus JCC and co-sponsor Congregation Or Hadash raised awareness about food insecurity through the mobile installation "This Is Hunger," presented by the nonprofit group Mazon: A Jewish...

AJT
01/19/2017
Nazi Anti-Semitism Destroyed Berlin Fashion Industry - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] "Berlin has a distinct flavor and offers a lot of opportunities to diverse groups," German Consul General Detlev Ruenger said at the opening of the exhibition "Fashioning a Nation: German Identity and Industry 1914-1945." The opening was one of three panel discussions planned around the exhibit, hosted by the Goethe Zentrum...

AJT
01/19/2017
Bridge to Independence Engineers a Better Future - AJT

Above: Olga Wuls and brother Nikita Lomov visit Bernice and Jeff Savell. By Sarah Moosazadeh / [email protected] Olga Wuls, one of eight brothers and sisters in a family in Israel, knew she wanted more education after high school but didn't know how she could pay for college while supporting herself.

AJT
11/11/2016
Nonprofit Yeladim Paves Path out of Foster Care - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh / [email protected] Sukkot represents a joyous holiday in which friends and family gather in the sukkah to celebrate. Members of Congregation Or Hadash connected with the Jewish holiday in a different way Sunday, Oct. 23, by raising awareness about the Israeli nonprofit organization Yeladim - Fair Chance for Children.

AJT
10/25/2016
Survivorship, Hope Bring Alice Hoffman's Book to Atlanta - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] Alice Hoffman is no stranger to the literary world: She has composed more than 20 novels for children and adults. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages and has received countless mentions in publications such as The New York Times, People Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

AJT
05/10/2016
Diverse Communities Paved Atlanta's Path to Glory - AJT

Above: (From left) Andrea Young, Shirley Franklin, Laura Hardman and Sherry Frank discuss what has made Atlanta great. By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] "Atlanta has become the fastest-growing hub in the South for businesses, economic growth and cultural diversity, yet the road to Atlanta's glory did not come easy," said Andrea Young, the daughter of former Mayor Andrew Young.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/29/2016
Hard Truth on Campus: No End to Anti-Semitism - Atlanta Jewish Times

By Sarah Moosazadeh [email protected] "There is no better time to be a Jew," Jacob Levkowicz told parents and students during a discussion about "Unpacking Anti-Semitism on Campus" at the Weber School on Sunday, March 20. As part of an initiative to raise awareness about anti-Semitism on college campuses, American Jewish Committee and community partners such as...

The Atlanta Jewish Times
07/03/2014
Chabad of Cobb Celebrates their 2nd Torah Inauguration

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT On Sun., May 4, Chabad of Cobb had the honor of celebrating their second Torah Inauguration within Cobb County. The community was in full attendance as friends, families, and members of the congregation gathered to witness the historic moment.

Book reviews

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/23/2018
Yair Lapid Relives Father's Turbulent Life

Tommy Yosef Lapid is viewed as one of Israel's most controversial figures, mostly because of his secular, leftist views. Readers can learn who the Israeli politician, journalist, and television and radio presenter really was in "Memories After My Death" by Yair Lapid. Yair Lapid writes the chronicle of his father's life in the first person.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/17/2017
'Phoenix' Rises With Rebirth of Peres, Israel

Shimon Peres' life remains an enigma for many, but those who knew him well would describe him as a staunch Zionist and builder of Israel's military might. After Peres' death last year, Michael Bar-Zohar released a special edition of his book "Phoenix: Shimon Peres and the Secret History of Israel," which recounts Peres' struggles, triumphs and defeats in his personal and political lives.

Atlanta Jewish Times
07/11/2017
'Netanyahu Years' Delves Into Family Time

Before his extensive term in office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's turbulent family history and political career helped shape him as one of Israel's most scrutinized figures, as described in Ben Caspit's latest book, " The Netanyahu Years."

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/19/2017
A St. Louis Survivor's Odyssey to Atlanta

More than 900 passengers, mostly Jewish refugees escaping Hitler, boarded the MS St. Louis ocean liner May 13, 1939, bound for Cuba. Among the travelers was 10-year-old Henry Gallant, born Heinz Goldstein in Berlin, who recounts his story in Pamela Sampson 's first publication, "No Reply: A Jewish Child Aboard the MS St.

Atlanta Jewish Times
10/19/2017
Sampson Focuses on Refugees Through Holocaust Lens

The fate of over 900 passengers was sealed when the MS St. Louis steamed from Europe toward Cuba with refugees escaping Hitler just before World War II. The passengers included Henry Gallant and his parents, who sold their business and personal possessions to purchase tickets for their journey, only for the ship to be turned away by Cuba, then the United States, and forced to return to Europe.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/11/2018
AJFF Review: Error Drives 'Death in the Terminal'

If there is one word to describe the documentary "Death in the Terminal," it is "suspenseful." From beginning to end, viewers are left hanging as they try to piece together the events that led to the death of an Eritrean man mistaken for a terrorist at a Be'er Sheva bus terminal in 2015.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/09/2018
AJFF Review: 'Remember Baghdad' Recounts Iraq's Glory

The heritage and culture of Iraqi Jews are among many insights brilliantly captured in the documentary " Remember Baghdad," which chronicles Iraq's Jewish population before coups and geopolitics turned lives upside down. Before Saddam Hussein's reign and under British rule, many Jews lived lavish lives in Iraq and owned small businesses.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/09/2018
Review: "A Quiet Heart" a Lackluster Thriller

If you're looking for a film that highlights Israel's Orthodox community, " A Quiet Heart " is for you, but if you're looking for a thriller that will keep you up all night, you should pass.

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/09/2018
Review: Spy Thriller Fails to Excite

We can only hope real life is more exciting for Mossad agents than what they experience for most of director Eran Rikil's fictional film " Shelter." After completing a mission in Lebanon, Mossad agent Mona Rice, played by renowned Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, is whisked away to a safe house in Hamburg, Germany, where she awaits further instructions.

AJT
01/12/2017
AJFF: 'Nadia' Personalizes Both Sides of Conflict - AJT

Above: Neta Shpigelman plays the title character in "A.K.A. Nadia," showing Jan. 26 and 27 and Feb. 1, 11 and 12. By Sarah Moosazadeh / [email protected] "A.K.A. Nadia" explores the depth of human emotion and one woman's will to survive. After eloping with a PLO activist to live in England, Nadia quickly discovers that life is not...

AJT
01/11/2017
AJFF: 'Germans & Jews' and Conflicted History - AJT

By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] The Holocaust ended with Germany's defeat in World War II, but the harsh reality and memories still resonate with many survivors and Germans. "Germans & Jews" explores the present-day attitudes of Jews and non-Jews in Berlin. Guilt, grief and sadness are among the emotions non-Jewish Germans feel after learning about the...

AJT
01/11/2017
AJFF: Long-Lost Brothers Open Lid on 'Secrets' - AJT

Above: Shep Shell (left) and Izak Szewelwicz are reunited seven decades after being separated at a displaced persons camp in "Aida's Secrets," showing Feb. 4, 5 and 6. By Sarah Moosazadeh | [email protected] "Aida's Secrets" will leave audience members on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel one family's history torn by World War...

Atlanta Jewish Times
05/10/2017
Film Review: Love Doesn't Always Follow A Plan

Finding true love doesn't come easily for everyone, but if you put your heart and mind into it, love might be closer than you think. That's the lesson of the Israeli film " The Wedding Plan," which is making its Atlanta debut as the first feature of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival's AJFF Selects series Thursday, May 11, then will return for a theatrical release May 26.

Atlanta Jewish Music Festival 2017

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/01/2018
AJMF9: Robotic Musician Does More Than Keep Beat

Georgia Tech 's Gil Weinberg contemplated ways to program machines to produce acoustic sounds and improvise and play music, then combined his background in computer science with his passion for music to create a robotic musician, Shimon. Shimon's improvisational skills will be featured Friday, March 9, at the Atlanta Science Festival's opening night, an event incorporated into the ninth Atlanta Jewish Music Festival.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/01/2018
AJMF9: 2 Flavors of Yemenite Influence

Ravid Kahalani grew up singing traditional Jewish Yemenite songs in synagogues. The experience led him to create Yemen Blues, scheduled to perform Sunday, March 11, at the Breman Museum as part of the Molly Blank Jewish Concert Series and the ninth annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/01/2018
AJMF9: Lola Marsh Connects Fantasy to Indie Pop

Imagine entering a world of fantasy - that's what audiences experience at Lola Marsh concerts, said vocalist Yael Cohen, who joins drummer Gil Landau in the Tel Aviv-based duo. Lola Marsh is a late addition to the ninth annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, performing at Aisle 5 on Thursday, March 8, as an after-party to the opening night concert that evening.

Atlanta Jewish Times
03/02/2017
Molly Blank Concert Explores Rock 'n' Roll Era

During the 1950's and 60's the music industry birthed a new genre of music known as Rock n'Roll. The style quickly became popular and paved the way for numerous artists like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and eventually the Beatles.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/26/2017
Lost Language of AJMF8

Sarah Aroeste is passionate about two things, her love of Ladino music and sharing her culture with others. But that's not the only reason she was picked to perform five times during AJMF8. "Aroeste brings so much to this year's festival including her diverse cultural perspective," said AJMF Executive Director, Russell Gottschalk.

Atlanta Jewish Times
02/24/2017
Idan Raichel Continues AJMF International Tradition

Idan Raichel is one of the most celebrated Israeli artists and has performed on some of the world's biggest stages. Although he considers his music Israeli, global audiences have rendered him as an international icon who continues to break barriers through his unique style of music.

Opinion

Atlanta Jewish Times
01/17/2018
Moosazadeh: A History of Iran's Revolutions

For many Iranians, the recent uprisings in Iran are a reminder of the religious fundamentalism, economic instability and oppression that have ruled Iran the past 40 years. Yet Iranian demonstrations are an anomaly and often stem from different factors. In 2009 the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad evoked anger among countless Iranians.

Press Releases

Pardis
08/10/2014
Representing the True Image of Iranian-Americans Today

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