Happy Chanukah - The Jewish Georgian

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Page 44 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN November-December 2011 LaVon Mercer bridges countries, religions, and cultures BY By Ashley Rosenberg Ashley Rosenberg LaVon Mercer is a unique person. He’s a son, a brother, a dad, a basketball player, a U.S. citizen, an Israeli citizen, a solider in the Israeli Army—and once, he was even an honorary TEP brother at the University of Georgia. Mercer had a very bumpy ride on the road to success, but through it all, he did all he could to reach his goals. At 13, Mercer was living with his grandmother while his mother was in New York. Although he was quite young, a lot of people, especially his family, depended on him to get things done. Mercer’s grandmother did not want him playing sports, but as a rebellious kid, he decided he would play basketball regardless of what she wanted. Since his grandmother didn’t approve of him playing, she made him walk nine to 10 miles to practice and back, hoping he would quit. He didn’t. In high school, his basketball coach, Len West, took special interest in him. West bought Mercer his first pair of real tennis shoes; ever since, West has had a big influ- World War II ended over six decades ago, and the dark and vicious efforts of the Nazis to rid the world of Jews came to a halt. Their demonic work stunned and horrified the international community, and the Holocaust has yet to fade from memory. Each year, the international Jewish community comes together to remember the victims of the Holocaust: the men, women, and children murdered by the Nazis in killings fields and death camps across Europe. It’s a ritual that plays out in the spring on Yom HaShoah. In 2012, the holiday will fall on Thursday, April 19. In Atlanta, the victims will be recalled and memorialized during a program the Sunday after Yom HaShoah—April 22, beginning at 11:30 a.m.—in front of the Memorial to the Six Million at Greenwood Cemetery. It’s a program that has drawn thousands of area residents to the memorial, ence on Mercer and the path he has chosen. After high school, Mercer signed with and was given a scholarship to the University of Georgia, where he was greeted with the family he never really had. Mercer said that the diversity that was forced upon the university helped shape the state of Georgia itself, setting an example in the effort to achieve equality and rights for African- Americans. Following college ball, Mercer was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the third round. “The NBA is like a business. They want a Mercedes, and I was a Kia, so they sent me off to Europe to learn the fundamentals of the game,” he said. After playing overseas, he realized he liked the game much better because it wasn’t so restricted, and each player was able to do whatever he wanted on the court. For example, a center could have his chance at the 3-point line, instead of only staying a euphonic blend of chiseled stone and soaring torches, since it was dedicated in 1965 during the first official Yom HaShoah service in the city. Goldie Bertone will be chairing the 2012 Service of Remembrance, one of the largest events in the U.S., sponsored by Eternal-Life Hemshech (an organization of Holocaust survivors, their descendants, and people dedicated to commemorating the Six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust), down in the paint. When he went to Europe, Mercer was asked to play for the Israeli team, where he spent most of his professional years. After living in Israel for a while, he became an Israeli citizen, serving in the Israeli Army for two years. He enjoyed participating in the IDF because he was able to become closer to the citizens, as well as have a better understanding of people who are fighting for their beliefs. When asked what he enjoys about Israel and its citizens, he explained that “many people in the United States can’t sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ when randomly asked, but every single Israeli knows the country’s anthem by heart and sings it with pride.” Even at UGA, his best friends were Jewish, and he ended up being named honorary brother in a Jewish fraternity. LaVon Mercer the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and the William Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum. Bertone, Sandra Craine, and Sally Levine, co-vice chairs of the event, and a group of volunteers from across the city’s Jewish community have already begun planning the program. It’s a massive undertaking. Young adults need to be recruited to handle traffic and security and to serve as greeters and escorts; appropriate music and choirs selected; torch lighters picked; readings prepared; and a keynote speaker identified. “There are lots of little details,” Bertone says. “But they are all important, and the success of each year’s program is because of the good work of all our volunteers.” Although the details have yet to be finalized, the 2012 program will focus on the role of rescuers, a theme still being developed by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The plan will be to highlight the amazing stories of ordinary people who risked their lives to save others from the Nazi war machine. These special people were a diverse group—diplomats, farmers, priests, office workers, and others. They were all Since Mercer was well known around Israel, no one saw anything weird about a 6’ 10” African-American Israeli. The Israelis became Mercer’s brothers and sisters, and he now has as many friends in Israel as he does in the U.S. Both at UGA and in Israel, Mercer was able to defy being stereotyped, and he showed people that no matter one’s color or religion, we are all the same. After returning to the states, Mercer coached women’s basketball at a university. He soon realized that youth and attitudes have changed, and people don’t have the same passion and drive to play as they did years ago. Today, he speaks to many people around the nation, telling them about his journey and his passion for Israel. He has three kids and continues to travel back and forth between the states and Israel, as well as practicing both Christianity and Judaism. It’s not often that people find a man, 6’ 10”, African-American, and born and raised a Christian, who will fight for and immerse himself in a different country and a completely different religion. But maybe that’s what Jewish people need in order to realize how beautiful and righteous their home country really is and not take something unique for granted. Mercer has changed Israelis outlook on people of different races, just as they wish to make an impression on him and the world and change the stereotype that has blanketed Israel and its people. Mercer can be contacted at lavonmercer.org. Planning for Yom HaShoah Save the date BY Ron Feinberg Annual Day of Remembrance memorial service has drawn thousands of area residents to Greenwood Cemetery in south Atlanta each spring since the event began in the mid-1960s If you’d like to remember the victims of the Holocaust, honor the survivors, pray for the martyrs, and salute the heroes, then plan on attending Atlanta’s annual Yom HaShoah observance, on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Greenwood Cemetery. For additional information, contact Dr. Lili Baxter at 404-870-1872 or LBaxter@thebreman.org. courageous, and many died in their heroic efforts. Nationally, well known rescuers will be remembered and memorialized—Raoul Wallenberg and Oskar Schindler, American rescuer Varian Fry, and Miep Gies, who helped hide Anne Frank and her family. Locally, rescuers, victims, and survivors will be remembered and memorialized. “It’s a time each year when we can join together as a community,” Bertone says, “a special moment when we can collectively stand and pledge ‘Never again.’” Ron Feinberg is a veteran journalist who has worked for daily newspapers across the southeastern United States. He now specializes on topics of Jewish interest and can be reached at ronfeinberg@bellsouth.net.
November-December 2011 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 45 Schwartz on Sports BY Jerry Schwartz BASKETBALL BUNCH AT LUNCH. The second get-together of the Basketball Bunch at Lunch was held at Sweet Tomatoes in Dunwoody, on July 25. In attendance were 20 guys who played basketball at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center (AJCC) in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s—twice as many as last year. If we keep this up, we’re going to need a much larger room. It was great seeing everyone. I hadn’t seen Ed Hoopes in probably 30 years, and he was one of my “Where Are They Now” guys. I found out that he’s been living in Buckhead for the last 40 years and just recently retired as a stockbroker. He’s kept up with what’s going on through Jerry Finkelstein, one of the last players who had a two-hand set shot. Jerry was also attending for the first time; I’m hoping he can bring brothers Milton and Bruce for the next get-together. Ed, one of the few non-Jewish guys who played at the J, said he’s read some of my columns in The Jewish Georgian. I told him that, next to “Moose” Miller, he was the best passer in the league, and when you went back door, you knew he was going to get you the ball. Ed Jackel was also in attendance. I saw him last year when he made a presentation to the Edge Wise group at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) about his experiences as an athlete, soldier during World War II, and an athletic director at the AJCC. Jon Miller, a great defensive player and competitor, was also there; I informed him that, at age 64, he was the youngest in the group. He still looked like he could lace up his sneakers and play four quarters. It was great seeing Sam Appel, co-publisher of The Jewish Georgian and the person who asked me ten years ago to write this column. I’m still waiting for my first check. Sam also holds the distinction of being the first player ever to have a technical foul called on him before the game actually started. Sam told me that Lenny Levey, who now lives in Chicago, was sorry he could not attend. Lenny was a member of our Bulldog team and played in the city league. He was New York tough. I remember him going into the bleachers at Grady High, fighting an opposing player. Ray Taratoot, longtime player, coach, and referee, was there, as was Norman Greenberg. I remember Norman as a softball captain, catcher, and long-ball hitter, but couldn’t remember him on the basketball court. It didn’t matter; it was good seeing him after 30 years. Willie Green, the all-time “Mr. Hustle” in basketball, softball, and tennis, was there. The last time I saw Martin Cohen was when our sons were wrestling in a state tournament back in the late ‘80s. Martin was a captain, player, and referee in the AJCC basketball league. Leonard Sherman brought Marty Berger, who was recovering from a recent stroke, and it was good seeing Marty doing so well. The person most missed was Hal Krafchick, longtime athletics director at the JCC, who died on July 5. I felt that we should have symbolically left a chair for him at the table. Both Donald “Moose” Miller and Steve Gruenhut had some nice things to say about Hal and the plans to keep his memory alive. Every guy there could have told a Hal story. My favorite was when a center all-star team played a team from the Atlanta Falcons in 1968. Their team included Tommy Nobis, Ken Reaves, Randy Johnson, and Tommy McDonald. Hal was officiating the game and called a foul against the intense, super-competitive McDonald. He ran over to Hal and picked him up, put him on his shoulders and did about three or four airplane spins before putting him down. Hal staggered around the court, and the crowd loved it. It probably was the first time I’d ever seen Hal in an athletic contest where he wasn’t in control. Thanks go to Stan Sobel, the unofficial league historian, and Steve Gruenhut, the perennial captain and commissioner, for once again organizing the lunch. The fellowship was great, the stories were flowing with embellishment and exaggeration, and we agreed that we need to make this more than a once-a-year occasion. The greatest power hitter BY Gene Asher This article could not have been written without the help of my friend Emmett W. Wright, Jr. It was Wright who sent me the original Jerusalem Post story. So here goes the Gene Asher version: Quick, now, who was baseball’s greatest power hitter? Was it Babe Ruth? Was it Hank Aaron? Was it Hank Greenberg? Actually, it was none of these. It was Lipman (like Dr. Brad) Pike, who played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1866 and blasted six home runs, five of them consecutively, in one game against the Philadelphia Alerts. Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg may have been the Jewish star of the ‘40s, but Pike was the “Hammerin’ Hebrew” in the 1870s. He led the National Association (later called the National League) in the 1870s. He played every position on the team and later managed in the league. READY TO EAT. Willie Green (from left), Eddie Ullman, Ed Hoopes, Ed Jackel, Donald Miller, Howie Frushtick, Allan Carp, Steve Gruenhut, and Jon Miller PICK-UP BASKETBALL AT SHIRLEY BLUMENTHAL. I’ve just crossed another thing off my bucket list. For some reason or another, I had never visited the JCC at Shirley Blumenthal Park. I don’t know why; from my house in Alpharetta, it’s just a slightly longer drive there than to Zaban Park. Once the basketball league starts playing at Zaban, the Sunday morning pick-up games are cancelled, so I decided to try Shirley Blumenthal. I wasn’t disappointed. The competition is good, the guys friendly, and, since they play to only seven baskets, the games are faster. Basically, things are the same—a bunch of Jewish guys of varying abilities getting together for a Sunday morning workout. Of course, there are still arguments about foul calls and who touched the ball last before it went out of bounds. Also, you will not see anybody dunking the ball. I saw a lot of familiar faces there, guys I have played with in the MJCCA leagues, both at the Peachtree center and Zaban Park. David Cohen can still shoot the ball and plays a great all-around game. Barry Shapiro is in great shape and still plays hard at both ends of the court. He told me that he’s playing in an adult lacrosse league and enjoying it. Just don’t forget to wear your helmet, Barry. Lloyd Marbach is still going full speed. Bryan Wulz, a perennial first-round pick in the Adult Basketball League, is still shooting his flying jumper with deadly accuracy. Bruce and Ryan Friedrich reminded me that I played with their father, Bernie. I remember Ryan and Bruce as youngsters, when Bernie brought them to softball and basketball games. Barry Katz can still shoot his long-range and post-up jump shot, and David Seligman has his hook shot and sets a good pick. I saw Jonathan Agin He was born May 25, 1845, in Brooklyn, New York. For all his power hitting, he was paid the enormous sum of $20 a week. He picked up his first bat after his bar mitzvah. He died of heart disease at age 48. He deserves to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Nobody before or since has come WHO HAS THE NEXT STORY? Martin Cohen (from left), Ray Taratoot, Norman Greenberg, Jerry Finkelstein, and Sam Appel; (front) Allan Carp a day earlier at Zaban Park, and now here he was at Shirley Blumenthal. I hope to continue to play there as an alternative to Zaban and get to know some of the other guys. PICKLEBALL. If you’ve ever played PickleBall at the MJCCA, you know that the set consists of a net with the poles fitted into two yellow sand-filled bases. Each base weighs about 40 pounds. Somehow, two bases disappeared from the center and couldn’t be found. We looked everywhere, as did the security and custodial staff. Now, who would want to steal two-40 pound yellow bases? I could just imagine the thief trying to cart these things out to his car. Maybe, somewhere in Dunwoody, there’s a PickleBall game going on courtesy of the MJCCA. Luckily, we have Ken Lester, one of the organizers of the sport at the J. Ken had already bought a set for The Weber School, and he bought a second set of official PickleBall equipment for the MJCCA. Thanks, Ken, for your generosity. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Longtime softball and basketball player Brian Wertheim celebrated his 60th birthday in September. Brian, one of the all-time nice guys, carries on a conversation with you during the game and is a great sport. Keep working on that left-hand/right-hand drill I showed you and practicing that accurate 3-point shot. I hope to see you on the court for many more years. Hope you enjoyed the column. Until next time, “drive for the bucket and score.” close to matching his home-run record. And, although he is not a Georgian and therefore does not meet the requirements for the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, Ron Blomberg, baseball’s first designated hitter and a former New York Yankees star, does. He has long been overdue for admittance to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
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