ATLANTA -- June 27, 2005

- JUSTIN LEVY

Saul Bellows said "In the warmest of hearts, there is a cold spot for the Jews". This idea led us to our first meeting of our journey with Dale Schwartz and Rabbi Steven Lebow, two researchers and speakers on Leo Frank and his historic cause in 1913. First we heard about the case from Rabbi Lebow. In 1913, Leo Frank, a Jew from New York and an owner of a pencil factory in Atlanta was accused of murdering a young worker Mary Fagin. After a trial of skewed evidence and doctored testimony, Leo Frank was convicted and sentenced to death. The Governor of Georgia reduced the sentence to life in prison. While in a Georgia jail, 90 years ago this August, a mob of prominent Georgians took Leo Frank and lynched him.
We met our two speakers on the spot where the lynching took place 90 years ago this August.
Dale Schwartz worked over the 1980s to grant Frank a gubernatorial pardon. After years of research and working with the pardon board Schwartz earned Leo Frank a pardon in 1986. In 1995, Rabbi Lebow led the first yarzeit service at this site, where the tree was that Leo Frank was lynched and put a plaque on the site commemorating the event. There were two major outcomes of the incident. One was negative, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. The other, more positive outcome was the formation of the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL is a perfect example of a group of people standing up for what they think is right.
50 years later, another man stood up for what he believed to be right. That man was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fighting for the Civil Rights of Blacks. We first visited his tomb and paid our respects. We walked down a block to the church where Dr. King preached, the Ebenezer Baptist Church. There we met and heard from Reverend Graham Williams who eloquently discussed with us Dr. King’s life and actions. Reverend Williams was a preacher in Atlanta for 50 years and worked with Dr. King. Following his impassioned talk with us, we walked across the street to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center. We saw a brief film about the life of Dr. King and saw exhibits on his work.
After our time at the MLK Jr. Center we drove to the Names Project. The organization collects quilts sent in form all over the world in memory of victims of AIDS. In total the project has collected 54 tons of quilts. Seeing so many quilts sewn by individuals with such care was truly moving. The workers at the Names Project spoke to us about the current AIDS situation in America and the world. They also informed us what we can do to help in the fight on AIDS.
All three of these events and groups were fighting for causes of different time periods. The early 1900s had focused on the rights of Jews and eradicating Anti-Semitism. In the 1950s and 60s Dr. King worked to erase racism and worked for the Civil Rights of all people. Since the late 1980s the fight has been made for gay rights and the fight against AIDS. This was all wonderful and interesting. We also had time just to have fun too!
Earlier in the day we visited the Coca-Cola museum. There we saw how Coke was made and advertisements from all around the world since the 1930s. We got a chance to taste different Coke products from around the world. This included Passion Fruit Fanta from New Guinea and disgusting bitter aperitif from Italy. At night after dinner we went to a football field at Billy's old high school where we could run around and play. SOme read, some sat and talked and some played ultimate frisbee. Overall it was an invigorating and interesting first day and we can’t wait for the next few weeks!

Etgar 36 sitting with the Coca Cola bears

Rabbi Lebow speaking to Etgar 36 at the site of the Leo Frank lynching

Paying our respects at the tomb of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rev. Williams speaking to us at Ebenezer Baptist Church

Hearing about the work that the Names Project does

David Bucholtz at an AIDS quilt made by the creator of Doonesbury

Playing ultimate frisbee

Posted by Etgar 36 2005 at June 28, 2005 08:12 AM