Publisher Andrew Adler resigns over article suggesting hit on president

The publisher of a Sandy Springs-based community paper has resigned his position after an op-ed he wrote was roundly condemned from Atlanta to Jerusalem.

Andrew Adler's article in the Atlanta Jewish Times suggested Israel should "take out" President Barack Obama for his perceived unfriendly stances on the Jewish State.

In an interview with the Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters published on YouTube, Adler tearfully apologized for his words.

"I just felt I was doing my job as an editor/publisher to get people to wake up to what's going on with Iran and Israel," Adler said.

Channel 2's Mike Petchenik tried to reach Adler at his East Cobb home Tuesday. Adler didn't answer the door or retu his call for comment.

Adler has named John McCurdy as interim editor-in-chief of the paper. Petchenik asked him what's next for the publication.

"It's time to move on," he told Petchenik. "It's time to serve the Jewish community more faithfully."

McCurdy said he didn't condone Adler's viewpoint, but added he didn't believe Adler's comments were to be taken literally.

"I don't believe Mr. Adler would ever wish death upon another person," he said. "That's just not him."

Rabbi Joshua Heller, senior rabbi at B'nai Torah in Sandy Springs, told Petchenik Adler's statements don't speak for the Jewish community.

"The view I've heard throughout the Jewish community, is that these words were ill-considered," he told Petchenik.

Heller is a member of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association, which put out a statement Tuesday denouncing the statements. The statement said the ARA would suspend its relationship with the paper.

"I'm hopeful some good will come out of this," Heller said.

Meantime, the Atlanta Jewish Federation, which publicly called for Adler to resign, also released a statement to Petchenik.

"We support Israel and the govement of the United States," Federation CEO/President Michael Horowitz said in the statement. "We do not support the Atlanta Jewish Times."