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Metro Atlanta woman helps Fayette County teen, others escape from Israel war zone

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Metro Atlanta woman helps Fayette County teen, others escape from Israel war zone


FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Nearly 1,000 U.S. citizens have departed Israel on U.S. chartered planes, but some Americans didn’t wait for the government to step in, including a Metro Atlanta teen.

17-year-old Lyla Caplan attends public school in Fayette County. This semester she chose to study abroad in Israel.

“There’s like no Jewish community here and I thought this would just be like a great opportunity for me to be surrounded by people who are like me,” Caplan said.

But on Oct. 7 she woke up to sirens.

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“Nothing can prepare you for what we experienced,” Caplan said. “We woke up to counselors banging on our doors and the sirens going off. We heard the iron dorm intercepting missiles.”

Meanwhile, another Metro Atlanta woman was also in Israel when Hamas launched their initial attack.

Cheri Levitan lives in Sandy Springs and is the CEO of Kenes Tours, a Tel Aviv-based travel agency.

Shortly after the terrorist attack began, she got a call from the Jewish National Fund asking for her help in evacuating more than 100 kids from the Alexander Muss High School, including Lyla Caplan.

“The senior leadership at JNF said Cheri we need to get these kids home. Can you help us get these kids home,” Levitan said.

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As Levitan worked behind the scenes to charter a flight for the kids, Caplan and her classmates made care packages for Israeli soldiers from below-ground bomb shelters.

Within a few days, they were on a flight from Israel to Rome, and then back to America. In total Levitan says she helped 107 students and three chaperones escape from the war.

“Fate. It just worked. And I was just happy to be part of it and happy to make it happen,” Levitan said.

It’s something that Caplan and many other families will never forget. And even though their children are home safe, they’re still coping with what’s going on in the Middle East.

“There’s a lot of antisemitism everywhere and you have to bring awareness. And it’s all you can do, especially when you’re this far away from a war zone,” Caplan said.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Braves fall to Cubs – WBBJ TV

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Atlanta Braves fall to Cubs – WBBJ TV










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5 Atlanta events you won’t want to miss: May 16-22

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5 Atlanta events you won’t want to miss: May 16-22


The Indie Craft Experience market returns this weekend.

Photograph by Isadora Pennington

Exhibit opening of Rhythm and Resilience: The Artistry of Sam Middleton
When: May 17, 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Hammonds House Museum
Cost: $5-$10, free for museum members
Details: Middleton, a pioneering mixed-media artist who grew up amidst the Harlem Renaissance and took inspiration from living in the Netherlands, will get fresh consideration in a new exhibit at the Hammonds House Museum in West End. The exhibit, which runs through August, will kick off with an opening reception on Friday evening. Enjoy small bites and music while you peruse Middleton’s enlightened work.

Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals 
When: May 17-18
Where: Underground Atlanta
Cost: $20
Details: Atlanta will host the national finals for Red Bull’s street dance competition, featuring a face-off between sixteen finalists, some of the most talented street dancers in the country. The winner—decided by crowd vote—will head to the World Finals in India later this year. There will also be dance workshops in multiple styles, open to anyone, and a performance from hip-hop icon Soulja Boy. This high-octane event is open to all ages, so bring even the littlest dancers.

Marietta Greek Festival
When: May 17-19
Where: Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Marietta
Cost: $5, kids under 12 free
Details: Opa! Enjoy all things Greek—notably food, but also music, dance, faith, art, and again, food—at this popular annual festival hosted by Marietta’s Greek Orthodox Church. All three days feature a lineup of dance performances showcasing traditional and contemporary Greek dance styles, as well as “learn to dance” classes open to anyone who wants to learn. There’s also an artist market and tours of the beautiful, Byzantine-style church. And, of course, food to delight the senses: dolmades, spanakopita, baklava, souvlaki . . . you may have to come back multiple days to enjoy the entire menu.

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Virginia-Highland Porchfest
When: May 18, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Virginia-Highland
Cost: Free
Details: The leafy neighborhood of Virginia-Highland becomes the city’s most vibrant outdoor festival for this one-day-only event. Dozens of bands will play live music from porches around Virginia-Highland, most of them scattered along Barnett Street, Adair Avenue, and surrounding streets. There’s also a Kids Corner play area, a costume-filled 1k Rock n’ Run, and artist vendors, plus food and drinks from local food trucks.

Indie Craft Experience Summer Market 
When: May 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Monday Night Brewing Garage
Cost: $5, kids under 12 free
Details: Peruse a wide array of local artists and crafts makers at this market pop-up, located inside Monday Night Brewing Garage off the Westside BeltLine. Pick up everything from handmade cards and candles to jewelry, paintings, and local coffee—great gifts for graduates, teacher thank-yous, and anyone else in need of a thoughtful local gift. Come early for a free favor: the first 100 people in line get a custom Indie Craft Experience tote bag.

Sports corner: Atlanta home games

  • The Braves host the San Diego Padres at Truist Park for a four-game matchup May 17-20. Info here.
  • The Atlanta Dream host the Dallas Wings for their first home game of the 2024 season at Gateway Center Arena in College Park. Info here.

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Woman shoots woman during incident Wednesday night, Atlanta police say

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Woman shoots woman during incident Wednesday night, Atlanta police say


Atlanta police say a woman was arrested for shooting another woman on Wednesday night.

Officers responded to a person shot call in the 3000 block of Jonesboro Road near Hutchens Road SE around 11:10 p.m. May 15. Upon arrival, they learned that a woman had been transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds.

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The officers went to the hospital to interview the victim. The victim told police that she was shot by another woman and gave police a description of the woman and the vehicle she was driving.

Units canvassed the area and located the vehicle near Cleveland Avenue. Police say the woman tried to escape but crashed her vehicle on Jonesboro Road.

The woman was arrested and a gun was found in her car.

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The suspect has been identified as Briana Abner. She has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The incident is still under investigation. FOX 5 has reached out for a mug shot. 



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