FEDERATION NEWS - The Jewish Georgian

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 26 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN July-August 2012 Eagle Star Awards Gala honors Deal of the Year and Company of the Year Proctor & Gamble/Teva won the Deal of the Year award and Alpha Omega took home the Israeli Company of the Year award at the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Region’s, 11th annual Eagle Star Awards Gala. SunTrust Banks hosted the event at its headquarters in Atlanta, on June 12. Jonathan Medved, one of Israel’s most celebrated entrepreneurs and high tech venture capitalists, who was prominently featured in the bestselling Start Up Nation, was the keynote speaker. The Eagle Star Gala is AICC’s community flagship event, honoring the people and companies who have contributed most to the Southeast-Israel business relationship. In addition to awarding the Israeli Company of the Year and Deal of the Year, the chamber also recognized Asheville, North Carolina, attorney Robert Deutsch with the Chamber Founders Award and the Israel Economic Mission to the U.S. South with the Community Partner Award. Deal of the Year honorees Procter & Gamble and Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries created a joint venture, PGT Healthcare, to sell over-thecounter medicines that will combine Teva’s expertise in drug marketing with P&G’s expertise in branding, to expand their presence in the $200 billion consumer healthcare industry. In connection with the formation of the joint venture, P&G sold its OTC plants in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Phoenix, Arizona, which produce Vicks and Metamucil, respectively. It will transfer the employees of both plants to Teva, which will be the manufacturer and supplier for the PGT Healthcare business and P&G’s North American OTC business. The North Carolina facility will continue existing product lines, and, with retooling, it will gain more sophisticated capabilities to manufacture new products, thus continuing to provide, as well as increasing, much-needed employment opportunities in Greensboro. Other Deal of the Year finalists were Arris/BigBand Networks and IDEA Biomedical/Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Israeli Company of the Year honoree Alpha Omega, a Nazareth Illit-based company with its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, develops, manufactures, and markets microelectrode recording and stimulation devices for neurosurgery and neuroscience. Its products can be found in the best hospitals, universities, and research institutes around the world. The company offers superior technology, service, and personal attention through a global professional sales and support team and network of worldwide partners; it competes in the same markets as such large companies as Medtronic and St. Jude. Other Israeli Company of the Year finalists were Amiad and Shalag. Bob Deutsch (center) receives Chamber Founders Award from AICC Chairman Lorin Coles (left) and VP Barry Swartz (right) Proctor & Gambleʼs Director of Finance Ken Jones (center right) accepts Deal of the Year Award from AICC Chairman Lorin Coles (left), Eagle Star Gala Committee Chairman Barry Sobel (center left), and VP Barry Swartz (right) Davis project sparks multitude of passions Davis Academy eighth-graders graduated this year with an enormous sense of accomplishment. Most of them finished nine years (including kindergarten) of all the things that comprise a trademark Davis education – strong academics, Jewish and Hebrew studies, a life-changing two-week trip to Israel, and strong bonds with friends and teachers. But this year they had accomplished even more, thanks to a first-time Davis Middle School yearlong project called Siyyum. Some created a nonprofit organization or started a business; and all had answered an important research question or otherwise made some notable positive community impact. Siyyum is a Hebrew word that traditionally refers to a joyous celebration that takes place when Jews complete the study of a section of one of the sacred texts. Yet, while it marks a milestone, there is never any finite end to Jewish study, a premise that is also celebrated. The Davis Siyyum project encouraged students to think more deeply and explore more thoroughly about a question or topic of interest. But the research was not to be found solely in books or websites. Each student selected a community mentor whose expertise could offer a connection to the project. In addition, students were encouraged to plan, work independently, and choose a faculty mentor to help guide the process. All 59 Davis eighth-graders carried out a Siyyum project, and the topics were as diverse as the students. Rachel Kaufman, for example, created a blog called Unite to Write to provide a forum for young female poets to express themselves. Student photographer Max Harris worked with a professional community photographer to explore Poverty Through the Lens of Photography with his own work. Ashley Spector, touched by one family’s story, asked How Does Childhood Cancer Affect the Child and Family? Entrepreneur Logan Botnick created a viable business model for Bot Wear Sports Apparel. And one student who struggled with the project initially finally decided to explore, What is Accomplishment? “Though none of us had ever done this before, the results blew us all away,” said teacher Kendrick Phillips, who was the cocreator of Siyyum. “The project was about empowering students to take ownership and be accountable for one’s own learning – which will be paramount to their future. It’s very rare for students at the middle school level to see through a project of this depth,” she said. Logan Botnick models his prototype of the Bot Sock, which offers extra support for the ankle. Many of the students presented their projects on May 29 just days before graduation. They dressed professionally and chose their own format. Some created video or power-point presentations, others had real prototypes of their work or other displays. The eighth-graders debriefed following the morning of presentations with a variety of comments and observations about this yearlong learning experience. Photographer Max Harris said, “I loved this project, and the community mentor part Israel Economic Consul Roee Madai (center) accepts Community Partner Award from AICC Chairman Lorin Coles (left) and VP Barry Swartz (right) Alpha Omega U.S. Branch Manager Liz Caruso (center right) accepts the Israeli Company of the Year Award from AICC Chairman Lorin Coles (left), Eagle Star Gala Committee Chairman Barry Sobel (center left), and VP Barry Swartz (right) Cassidy Aronin presents her project on The Face of Homelessness after getting acquainted with and offering aid to homeless individuals in Atlanta. was genius. I hope my mentor relationship will continue.” Larry Yanovich said Siyyum gave him a great outlet to explore something in which he had a great interest, Concept Cars and Design: Lamborghini. And writer Rachel Kaufman learned even more about her peers. “It was interesting,” she remarked, “ to see what other people’s passions are.”
July-August 2012 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 27 BUSINESS BITS By Marsha Liebowitz ALI’S IN DUNWOODY. Ali’s Cookies has opened its newest location, at Perimeter Place Shopping Center, near Perimeter Mall. The new store features a shabby-chic interior, full kitchen, baking area, and coffee and milk bar serving skim, whole, and chocolate varieties. Ali’s Cookies is a gourmet cookie company that bakes the “old fashioned” way—everything is made from scratch. All of Ali’s Cookies are kosher, and many can be lactose free. Ali’s Cookies also handcrafts cookie cakes, cakes, and cupcakes. For more than 30 years, Ali’s Cookies has shipped products across the country. For more information, call 770- 971-8566, or visit www.shipacookie.com. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. On April 30, 2012, after the ending of a 10year franchise agreement, the local Schakolad Chocolate Factory became an independent business, diAmano Chocolate. Craig and Sheree D’Egidio will continue ownership of the business, as they have since 2002, at the same location, 1100 Hammond Drive NE #430-A, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Contact them at 770- JSU NEWS JSU AT HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE. The annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial Service at Greenwood Cemetery, sponsored by The Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum, The Lillian and A.J. Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, saw hundreds of people from across the Jewish community gather together to commemorate the lives of six million souls lost during the Holocaust. For the second year in a row now, teens from the Jewish Student Union were invited to help staff the event. The JSU teens who participated in the ceremonies assisted in the event setup, handed our programs to the attendees, coordinated and organized parking, arranged for VIP seating, and, most importantly, escorted the elderly survivors to and from their seats. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees remarking repeatedly how respectful and helpful the teens were. For many of the teens, this was their first in-person encounter with Holocaust survivors, which naturally made their participation in the ceremonies that much more meaningful. In appreciation, each of the teens received free passes to the Breman Jewish 730-9770 or diamanochocolate@gmail.com, or visit www.diamanochocolate.com. ALL SMILES. Nanci Lubell, DMD, is a new associate at Right Smile Center, a fullservice dental practice. She brings with her 20 years of experience, with a focus on restorative and endodontic treatment. Dr. Lubell grew up in East Cobb and returned to practice there after receiving her degree from the Medical College of Georgia, in 1991. She and her husband, Dr. Mark Rosing, live in Dunwoody. Their two sons attend The Davis Academy. Throughout her career, Dr. Lubell has been active in various cancer-related charities and women’s/children’s shelters in metro Atlanta. For information, visit www.rightsmilecenter.com, or call 404-256-3620. NOT YOUR MOTHER’S FITNESS CLUB. Ellen Lowenstein Italiaander has opened Elevate Your Body, a new fitness studio offering sessions stressing the power and effectiveness of Pilates and yoga classes, in concert with other unique intervalbased classes. Located at 6053 Sandy Springs Circle, in Sandy Springs, its class- Heritage and Holocaust Museum. The JSU volunteers were: Leslie Apseloff and Rebekah Helfgot, Dunwoody High School; Maital Kaminer and Noa Kalfon, Riverwood; Shai Bendavid, Chattahoochee; Julia Lee, Nili Nourparvar, and Rebecca Neusner, Centennial; Isaac Dosetareh, Druid Hills; Allison Marill, Michelle Gofman, Seth Gregson, Sera Thomas, and Danielle Wagner, Lakeside; and Tori Zellner, Northview. JSU leaders Sera Thomas and Allison Marill handing out programs for the Holocaust Memorial es combine components of heart rate-elevating intervals (the cardio ingredient) with advanced muscle group training (the core and sculpting ingredients). Call 404-257- 0808, or visit elevateyourbody.com. Ellen Lowenstein Italiaander (right) with Linda Citron, one of Elevate Your Bodyʼs professional trainers THE PARADIES SHOPS HONORED. The Paradies Shops, the leading airport concessionaire in the industry for over 50 years, was named “Corporate Member of the Year” for 2012, at the Southeastern Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SEC-AAAE) Annual Conference held in Savannah, Georgia, May 20-22. The 2012 SEC-AAAE Conference gathered the region’s top airport managers in interactive sessions focusing on air service development and produc- BIKUR CHOLIM. Over 300 teens at over a dozen JSU Public School Clubs took part in the important mitzvah of bikur cholim (caring for those who are sick). The teens gathered together to make decorative pillowcases for children attending Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha, a camp for Jewish children suffering from terminal illnesses and cancer. As the teens hand-decorated the pillowcases, Rabbi Chaim Neiditch led a discussion of why bad things sometimes happen to good people. During the discussion, may of the participants shared personal stories of what it was like to deal with sick family members. Nonetheless, the overall mood at these events was positive, as all participants were overjoyed to be able to use their talents to do something meaningful to help brings smiles to the faces of children struggling with illnesses. Jacob Shelton and Ari Fine, from Chattahoochee High School JSU, display the pillowcases they made for children at Camp Simcha. tive strategies centered on the economic challenges the aviation industry is facing today. IT’S HARD TO TRUMP THIS. Sam Marks opened his Bridge Club of Atlanta, the first full-time bridge club in Sandy Springs, on July 16, in a 4,500-square-foot facility in the Fountain Oaks Shopping Center on Roswell Road. Marks is an Emerald Life Master and an accredited American Contract Bridge League teacher who began teaching five years ago after being asked to run the Atlanta Senior Olympics bridge competition. There will be eight games per week, and a full schedule of lessons will be offered from beginner to advanced levels. More information is available at www.bridgeclubatlanta.com. Opening day at Bridge Club of Atlanta HEBREW NAMES. One thing that has helped the Jewish people survive for millennia is adherence to the tradition of keeping Jewish names. This was the overriding theme of recent events at JSU Public School Clubs across the Greater Atlanta area, where hundreds of teens made Jewish name bracelets, necklaces, and key chains. Guided by Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, students learned how Judaism attaches a very special importance to Hebrew names and of the Divine inspiration behind many of these names. Teens learned the translations of their Hebrew names, as well as how their names related to their personal characteristics. Interestingly, these traits often tied in quite well with many of their family histories, which they were only too happy to share with the rest of the group, especially if they were named after ancestors. Everyone took home a personalized bracelet, necklace, or keychain. Teens at Centennial High School show off their new Jewish name accessories.
Page 1 and 2: Jewish THE Georgian Volume 24, Numb
Page 3 and 4: July-August 2012 THE JEWISH GEORGIA
Page 25: July-August 2012 THE JEWISH GEORGIA

FEDERATION NEWS - The Jewish Georgian

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?