2025 YIR: Beth Shalom Celebrates a Joyous 50th Anniversary

After a year of planning, Congregation Beth Shalom hosted 212 celebrants in their Dunwoody social hall on Saturday night, March 1. Havdalah began before a buffet dinner and silent auction followed by a one hour set by comedian Kenn Kington, whose resume includes two Netflix specials and appearances on Comedy Central.

Rabbi Mark Zimmerman and congregation president Fred Rich gave rousing talks about their loyal kehilah formed over the decades. Rich also had everyone in the room standing concurrently based on their synagogue participation over the decades.

As background, Rich introduced Rita Kessler who had a meeting in her den in 1975 with some friends and a representative from the Federation. Rich recalled, “The discussion was ‘how do we start a synagogue.?’ That is where it all began. We recognized other first-year members: the Dandys, the Richters, Guy Rappaport, and the Druckers.”

Then, Rich, who was on the search committee in 1985, segued to the process of hiring Rabbi Zimmerman when Marcia Bergman was president. He said, “We shared how we got Rabbi Zimmerman, and he is now been here for 37 years as the DNA of our congregation.”

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch read a proclamation making March 1, “Beth Shalom Day,” in Dunwoody.

Rabbi Zimmerman, clad in a gold brocade vest, spoke of the sacred moments of celebrating and learning together, performing mitzvot together, and “feeling G-d’s presence together.” He praised the vision of the founders and the priceless efforts of the volunteers. He explained that he became a rabbi because of his concern/obsession for the Jewish people, survival and commitment to living Jewish lives.

He relayed, “It’s a concern and love that has not diminished since I was ordained in 1988. And seeing how we have blossomed over the decades has been an incredible inspiration. Linda has been there by my side, really as the glue that kept everything humming during good and challenging times. They don’t make rebbetzins like her anymore.”