Balfoura Friend Levine - The Jewish Georgian

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Page 16 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN November-December 2006 Broadway baby...maybe! I first remember Cara Lewin as a precocious and extroverted three-year-old performing made-up dance routines and songs on a makeshift stage in front of her family’s fireplace. Whenever a group of family and friends gathered at the home of Henry and Jan Lewin, it was a cue for daughter Cara to go into one of her routines. It didn’t matter whether or not she had a rapt audience, but the fact that people were watching her was enough incentive to keep her in perpetual motion until her mother snatched her off the stage. Folks thought Cara was cute and not bashful about striving to be the center of attraction. Her parents realized that she had potential talent and provided encouragement and training to develop it. Cara comes from a family that boasts artists in many fields. Her maternal grandmother, Fran Landau, is an accomplished painter. Her father’s family boasts a New York stage and TV actor, and there are many other thespians in the family as well. Family and friends who attended the Lewin’s annual Hanukah parties could be assured that Cara was going to perform her latest song and dance routines. They were never disappointed. Now, at age 15, Cara can look back on 12 years of training in dance, acting, and singing. She’s grateful for the teachers and mentors that have helped her. BY Leon Socol In dancing, Cara’s major help has come from Studio Atlanta Dance, where ballet, hip-hop, and tap classes helped her develop a knack for picking up different dance styles and routines. She often observes one or two run-throughs of a routine and then masters it perfectly. In acting, Cara is grateful to her drama teacher at North Springs High School, Brian Kimmel. He has helped her in many roles including Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and a starring role in The Music Man. Her role in The Music Man established her self-esteem and reinforced her confidence that she could meet any artistic challenge. In singing, Cara is indebted to the Artistic School, the latest school that she’s attended. She has perfect pitch, and that made singing easy for her to master. Cara said that her saddest moment on stage occurred this year at Camp Meadowbrook, an art camp. She went on stage to do a dance routine and drew a blank. She continued with an impromptu Margot Albin, Elyse Benjamin, Ellye Birnbrey, Cara Lewin, Megan Mazier, and Paula Tulis number, which went over well nevertheless. Cara’s parents have kept her in a “normal” mode by seeing that she has had a good academic routine that includes sports and social activities as well as community responsibility and service. Cara is aware that the odds of making it big on the stage are low, and she has considered other career paths. Her father took her to the Emmy Awards in New York, and the stars she saw dazzled her. Several times, she was mistaken for one. She confided in her father that she had decided to become a star herself! In 2005, Cara joined the Atlanta girls Maccabi dance team and won a gold medal for a solo performance in Dallas. In the most recent Maccabi Games, held in Phoenix, the Atlanta girls won a total of 18 medals in both group and individual dance numbers. Cara repeated with another gold Atlanta’s Oldest Synagogue – and Newest Temple Sages (of all ages) Tuesday, December 5 12:15 p.m. Luncheon Lois Reitzes, “The Serene Mozart” (Mozart Serenades) Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Beiner Thursday’s December 7 & 14 12:00 p.m. What is Chanukah – Myths & Facts Wednesday, December 13 6:30 p.m. “An Inconvenient Truth” – film by Vice President Al Gore A screening & discussion Please join us for a night of learning and diverse dialogue, highlighted by an expert speaker panel. Friday, December 15 Synaplex Featuring Storahtelling “My Dream, Your Nightmare” A cutting-edge performance – inside tradition/outside the box How do you cope when the oddball is Daddy’s favorite? What does a dreamer do in a working class household? Things are never simple in the house of Jacob. Join the fray and discover how much strain family ties can take in this surprisingly modern ancient drama. Storahtelling presents a ritual performance of the Torah portion Vayeshev complete with music and audience interaction. • 3 guitar service • Chanukah dinner • Menorah Lighting • Sing-a-long • Vodka & Latkes (for 20s & 30s) • Beyond the Nest Chanukah Dinner Party (for empty nesters) For Reservations & Costs Call 404-873-1731 Sunday, December 10 10:00 a.m. Men’s Club A Nice Jewish Boy Returns From Iraq Guest Speaker Capt. Phil Botwinik Tuesday, December 12 7:00 p.m. A Conversation about Bereavement Dr. Elaine L. Levin, Psychologist RSVP requested Saturday, December 16 3:30 p.m. Spice to Go – A Musical Havdalah Volunteer for the Zaban Night Shelter E-mail Arline Browder at smileadb@aol.com Cara Lewin wearing her Maccabi medals won at the Phoenix games medal performance and was a member of the group that also won the gold. Cara attributed their success to preparation, hard work, and confidence that they could win. With an attitude like that, perhaps this Broadway Baby won’t be a maybe, but a reality some day. Break a leg, Cara! Join Our Family 1589 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30309 404-873-1731 www.the-temple.org
November-December 2006 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 17 Brook Run Park renamed for Liane Levetan Liane Levetan stands in front of the sign “Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run” that was unveiled in her honor at the dedication ceremony on November 5, 2006. There were over 500 people in attendance. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the renaming of Brook Run Park to Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run at its September 26 meeting. Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones first introduced the resolution to dedicate the 100-acre park and educational facility in Dunwoody to the former DeKalb CEO at the September 12 board of commissioners meeting. “Mrs. Levetan has long been an advocate for parks and greenspace in DeKalb,” says Jones. “It is very appropriate that we are honoring her for many years of dedicat- ed public service to the citizens of DeKalb County.” Mrs. Levetan negotiated the $5 million purchase of Brook Run Park from the State of Georgia, said Jones, and the board approved it in 1998. Currently, DeKalb County has committed $11 million to expand facilities at the park. In addition to numerous civic and community activities, Mrs. Levetan served as the Georgia senator for District 40. She is also a founding member of the Georgia Conservancy, an advocacy group for preserving the environment. Volunteers are sought as Anne Frank exhibition moves to DeKalb The internationally acclaimed exhibition “Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945” is moving to DeKalb County. Presented by DeKalb County, the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust, and the DeKalb History Center, the exhibition contains over 600 photographs and 8,000 words of text. Created by the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and presented under the auspices of the Anne Frank Center, USA, the exhibition’s purpose is to educate people about the causes and dangers of racism, prejudice, and discrimination. By concentrating on Anne Frank and her family, this exhibition reveals the lessons of the Holocaust on a very personal level. “The opportunity to educate people about past and current world issues is a wonderful gift,” says DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones. “Volunteers are an important piece to the success of this exhibition, and their participation will help others learn about how prejudice and injustice can cripple us as a nation.” “Anne Frank in the World” is designed for both docent-led tours and individual viewing. Tours include the outstanding video The Short Life of Anne Frank. The exhibition will be open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and Sundays, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Student tours will begin in January 2007 for grades 5 and above. Adult and youth groups may also reserve tours. Volunteers will help bring the story and lessons of the Holocaust and Anne Frank to life. According to Senior Coordinator Debra Day, “Our volunteers are the driving force behind the exhibition. What’s great is that no experience is needed to become a volunteer because all training is provided. One does not have to be an expert on the Holocaust or a history buff. The only requirement is a desire to make a difference in the world to stand against prejudice and hate.” Volunteers are needed for docent and visitor services positions. One training session is required. Call 678-797-2083 for more information or to register for a session. GAUCHER DISEASE 1in450 Have it… 1in15 Carry it… 1in1 Should know about it. Type 1 Gaucher disease (pronounced Go-Shay) is the most common Jewish genetic disease, and among the least well known. In fact, it is much more common than Tay-Sachs disease. The symptoms of Gaucher disease are progressive and often debilitating. Symptoms can begin at any age. Fortunately, Gaucher disease is treatable, and the earlier the diagnosis the better, because irreversible problems or premature death can occur if left untreated. If you or your family members are experiencing any of the following symptoms, ask your doctor if a Gaucher blood test is right for you. — GAUCHER DISEASE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS — • FATIGUE (ANEMIA) • BONE PAIN • EASY BRUISING AND/OR BLEEDING • ENLARGED ABDOMEN (SPLEEN AND/OR LIVER) If you are Jewish and of Eastern European ancestry, and would like more information, call Genzyme Medical Information at 1-800-745-4447 (option 2) or visit www.genzyme.com. r-GCR/US/P271/06/06
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