The owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times has resigned and is seeking a buyer in the wake of a column he wrote speculating that Israel might consider assassinating President Obama.

Andrew Adler announced in an email Monday that he is "relinquishing all day-to-day activities effective immediately" following the publishing of his opinion piece saying that Obama's assassination was among Israel's options in heading off a nuclear Iran.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta said earlier Monday that it would suspend its relationship with the Atlanta Jewish Times until Adler removed himself from the newspaper's operations. The Federation also called on Adler to sell the weekly. "While we acknowledge his public apology and remorse, the damage done to the people of Israel, the global Jewish people, and especially the Jewish Community of Atlanta is irreparable," the Atlanta Federation said in a statement issued Monday.

In his Jan. 13 column, Adler outlined what he said were three possible responses by Israel to Iran's acquiring a nuclear weapon: a pre-emptive strike against Hamas and Hezbollah, terrorist groups that he said would be emboldened by a nuclear Iran; a direct strike on Iran; and "three, give the go-ahead for US-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States' policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies."

Adler continued, "Yes, you read 'three' correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel's existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don't you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel's most inner circles?"

National Jewish organizations, the Atlanta-based Israeli Consul General for the Southeast and The Birmingham Jewish Federation also have condemned Adler and the column. The BJF in Sunday's Update said his comments regarding Israel assassinating Obama were "abhorrent."

Above information is taken from Jewish Telegraphic Agency, a worldwide Jewish news service and one of 32 agencies and programs funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign.

By Joyce Spielberger, BJF Director of Overseas Programs

You don't always have to be from Alabama to wear one of The BJF's Alabama in Hebrew t-shirts in Israel but you do have to wear it proudly!

Recently, Joey Selesny, Development Officer for the Southeastern and Midwestern Regions for the Birthright Israel Foundation, visited Birmingham. I had the opportunity to meet with him and found out that he would be leaving soon for Israel to accompany a Birthright trip.

As The BJF's Director of Overseas Programs, I work closely with Birthright Israel. I also connect with our young adults who go on Birthright to not only serve as a resource to them but also to offer them complimentary Alabama in Hebrew shirts to wear while they are in Israel.

All I ask for in exchange is a picture of themselves wearing it in Israel and some impressions of their Birthright experience. Birthright Israel offers young Jews, 18-26, the gift of a first-time, peer group educational trip to Israel. Funds raised by the Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign help support Birthright. An estimated 250 young adults with Birmingham ties have participated since the program's inception.

Joey was leaving the next week to help staff a Birthright trip provided by Israel Outdoors, one of the trip organizers who coordinate trips for Birthright. I told Joey that he must have one of our shirts -- after all he was our Alabama Birthright representative and it was only right that he represent us "appropriately" in Israel as so many teens and young adults have done before him.

Joey, a father of three (with twins on the way), is from Michigan but had no problem wearing the Crimson proudly. In fact, Joey made a point of wearing his shirt in Israel the same day the BCS National Championship Game was played in New Orleans. Just hours before Alabama took the title, defeating LSU 21-0, Joey sent the above picture straight from Israel.

"Roll Tide Roll!!!" he wrote in an email. "My Birthright group wanted to hike up and down the Snake Path at Masada and I was right there with them wearing the Crimson Tide shirt y'all gave me. I got back this morning and had to send the photo straight to you!"

HERITAGE, HISTORY, LAND & RELIGION

Joey continued about his Birthright Israel experience, "I feel truly blessed to have witnessed the Birthright program in action. My group is made up of young Jewish adults, in their 20s, from across the US. The participants are a potpourri of professionals; lawyers, scientists, engineers, teachers and more."

"I joined the group on its fifth day together and it has been amazing to see the strong bond each one of them has with one another in just a few short days. We have traveled to Tel Aviv, Arad, Masada, Ein Gedi, Ein Bokek (Dead Sea), and Jerusalem in the few days that I have shared with them," Joey added. "What a jam packed itinerary! It is an honor to witness these young Jewish adults experience their heritage, history, land and religion as part of their Birthright."

Thank you Joey and thanks for bringing the Crimson Tide that extra bit of luck from across the ocean!

Please let us know if you are going to Israel so that you may also wear our colors proudly. Not only do we have Alabama in Hebrew but also Auburn and UAB as well. (Our Auburn shirts, of course, are orange with blue letters and our UAB shirts are green with gold letters.) In return, we will want a picture for Update and your written impressions. To get your shirt contact Donna Berry at The BJF at donnab@bjf.org or 205.879.0416.