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Continued from page 12. been here one Shabbat, the way the synagogue functions from a Jewish perspective really fits my view of Judaism.” A fifth-generation rabbi, Alex ander’s views of Judaism go back to her childhood, to parents and a grandfather-rabbi who instilled in her both a love of religion and the notion of taking risks for what she believes in. “My mother was always a pro fessional and a strong person her self,” she explained. “It helped a lot to have two parents who lived their lives as parents and who were not afraid to tread new ground. “Sure, my father has something to do with influencing me, but more likely than his rabbinate is the way my parents dealt with Jud- aism in the home.” Alexander described her father, who was ordained at the Berlin Seminary, an Orthodox rabbinical institute, as a humanitarian for whom “there does not seem to be a difference as a rabbi or a person.” Her grandfather, the late Rabbi Hugo Alexander, also ordained at the Berlin Seminary, saw Leslie’s dream through more traditional eyes. “He put up some kind of arguments about women being Conservative rabbi called to the Torah, and wasn’t always positive,” she said. “He did not live to see my ordi nation, but lived to see my fight. I’ll never forget the day I first read Torah at B’nai Emunah. 1 was ner vous because he was there and ner vous about what he’d think. As I walked off the bima, I saw tears in his eyes.” She also credits her husband, Dr. Kenneth Aitchison, for his support. He will commute 90 min utes each way to his job north of San Diego. Rabbi Theodore Alexander said he “kvells” in his daughter’s new position, insisting, “I’m not react ing as a father, but as a Conserva tive rabbi. I agree with Rabbi Kas sel Abelson (president of the Con servative Rabbinical Assembly) that this is a tremendous historical step forward. Hopefully, because Adat Ari El is not afraid of an innova tion or being a pioneer, they might have paved the way for many other outstanding rabbis who are female, which is only incidental.” The younger Alexander hopes that the label “female rabbi” will be dropped. There are about 130 wom en ordained as rabbis, all Reform but for four ordained by the Con servative movement. Two of the four have pulpits, though consid erably smaller than Alexander’s. “1 don’t have a chip on my shoul der because I’m a woman,” she stressed. “Last week I went to a Women’s League meeting and spoke to them that I am serving the whole congregation. 1 don’t want to run away from being a woman, nor do I think that it needs to be stressed, but 1 do know what it has to do with a rabbinical position. “I’m there to do a job, to be a rabbi.” Alexander listed her rabbinic duties as being in charge of the congregation’s daily minyan, read ing from Torah on Shabbat, split ting pulpit duties with Adat Ari El’s senior rabbi, Moshe Rothblum, and counseling, attending life cycle events, teaching and community outreach. “It’s a basic rabbinical position," she said. “It’s so much of what I want to do; it’s special.” Looking to buy a home in a new city? Have questions about the Jewish community? CALL 1-800-233-GULD Nationwide Residential Relocation Services GULDC& ASSCX IATLS INK 14 years as Atlanta’s most fabulous Women’s Resale Shop Now collecting Couture, Designer, Fall and Winter Fashions. Cleaned and on hangers. You pocket 50% of our sale price! (Clairmont at N. Decatur Road) Call for Appointment Chicki Lipton, owner 634-6995 Zionist leaders’ graves defiled^ JERUSALEM (JTA)—The graves of several Zionist founders of the state of Israel at Mount Herzl National Cemetery were desecrated this week. Slogans denouncing archaeological excava tions in the Negev, at a site where there are alleged to be ancient Jewish graves, were daubed on the tombstones of Theodor Herzl, Zalman Shazar, Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir and Zeev Jabotinsky. The slogans were signed “Keshet,” a group suspected by the police to consist of ultra-Orthodox zealots. The identity of the members are not known. Keshet also claimed responsibility for three previous incidents of desecration. ^/aoMs jfirv S$/asitcv METRO WIDE DELIVERY MAJOR CREDIT CARDS BY PHONE FLOWER SHOPS 255-7127 5975 Roswell Rd. Hammond Festival Center 565-2217 1401 Johnson Ferry Rd. Merchants Festival Center Is Your Child Ready For School? Is speech and language delayed? Is attention span too short? Is hypersensitivity uncontrollable? Are social situations difficult? Northside Readiness School 4300 NORTHSIDE DRIVE, N. W. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30327 261-3838 Preschool—all day, year round Self Contained Classes-Masters Level Teachers Focusing on: Speech and Language Attention Deficit Disorders Hyperactivity Social Skills OPENINGS STILL AVAILABLE Think Of It— This Hanuka in Israel (Light the first candle at “The Wall”) New Year’s weekend in London! You are invited to join Congregation. B’nai Torah’s Winter Family Tour Dec. 21-Jan. 4 • 5-star deluxe hotels • All breakfasts & dinners . All sight-seeing & entry fees . Round-trip air. direct from Atlanta $1,995 all inclusive cost ( $200 reduction for children under 12) Call 257-0537 for detailed brochure “LOVE” AND “UNDERSTANDING 99 TWO WORDS THAT ARE OUR FOUNDATION AND OUR PLEDGE While undoubtedly KING SPRINGS VILLAGE Health Care Center provides the finest nursing facilities in the South, our goal is to make our residents comfortable, happy, and secure by providing the ultimate in professional care and a wide range of social and recreational programs. That’s why KING SPRINGS VILLAGE Health Care Center provides the little “extras” that assure a feeling of privacy, dignity, and independence. Our emphasis is always on the quality of life. Extra care . . . Extra service . .. Extra interest. Let us show you “love” and “understanding” in action. You are warmly invited to visit and observe firsthand our wide range of social and recreational programs, and to meet our dedicated staff. We are confident that you will like what you see. KING SPRINGS VILLAGE HEALTH CARE CENTER 404 King Springs Village Pkwy. Smyrna, Georgia 30080 (404) 432-4444 Dave Morgan, Administrator Kosher Meals upon Request Approved lor Medicare Admissions seven days a week Please call lor more information o* drop by lor a lour Owned By. Henry G Barbara Grossberg Israel G Yetr a Goldberg PAGE 13 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE August 22, 1986