American Jewish Committee Tributes Wilker

Some say “dove” (into the swimming pool), some say “dove” (like the bird of peace), but on May 4, admirers came to salute Dov Wilker, regional director of the American Jewish Committee Atlanta/Southeast (AJC), as the “man of the hour.”

Approximately 650 attendees filled the Woodruff Arts Center, beginning with a full buffet dinner catered by A Kosher Touch. The crowd then transferred into Symphony Hall where a rousing gospel-like choir performed “Rise Up” with singers from The Temple and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Wilker in a movie poster, “A Nation Reborn.”

In the pre-function, AJC board member Steve Labovitz told the AJT, “There are few directors of any Jewish organization who could command this crowd. It’s a tribute to both Wilker and the AJC.”

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Beginning the formal program, Rabbis Loren and Micah Lapidus (event chairs) performed the “Shehecheyanu” and referred to Wilker as the” ultimate leader and mensch.”

Belinda Morris, AJC Atlanta President, is pictured with her daughter, Jacqueline.

AJC President Belinda Morris introduced a video of Mayor Andre Dickens recognizing Wilker’s “remarkable leadership in building bridges lifting up diverse communities.”

Morris touted AJC successes like the Unity Seder with 350 guests, more than 100 global forums, and Wilker’s strong personal relationships with dignitaries. She said, “I enjoy Dov’s joy and snarky humor which made my job so easy.” She urged all leaders to bring the 59 remaining hostages home.

Event chairs Mark and Gabby Spatt shared that Wilker was an inspirational friend enjoying family swims and barbecues.

In one of his favorite settings, Wilker sat alongside Ted Deutch in a relaxed fireside chat. Deutch, a former senator from Florida, serves as the AJC’s overall CEO. He hammered that more than 500 leaders around the world should be giving voice to the hostages. When queried by Wilker about antisemitism, Deutch maintained that post-Oct. 7, society at-large should be concerned, “not just Jews, for the betterment of all Civil Rights.”

Wilker was complimented for his partnership with the Black Jewish Coalition. He spoke of the AJC’s role of not just educating but taking students to Selma, Ala., and the U.S. Holocaust Museum. “Friendships are more important than content in a teen program.”

Wilker explained that he wears a kippah to show “that he is Jewish and proud.” Wilker complimented Deutch’s Twitter feed for boldly stating that he was a “Zionist and Jew which is unique among peers.”

The Ebenezer Baptist Church and The Temple Choir uplifted the crowd to “Rise Up.”

Event chairs Lindsay and Evan Borenstein relayed that they had come full circle having met at an AJC event 17 years ago. Evan touted Wilker’s friendship for things like volunteering to help him move. “Dov knows how to celebrate and laugh at himself.”

The showstopper was a movie made by local filmmakers Jacob Ross and Adam Hirsch, poking fun at Wilker and ending on his successes. Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Executive and Artistic Director Kenny Blank introduced the entire spoof with an original song, “Dovin,” showing Wilker biking, imitating his guffawing laugh, King Jew, and Big Bear (“dov” in Hebrew). The movie within a movie had amazing technology and graphics with Wilker roaring like the MGM lion, Dov’s face superimposed as Tevya from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Past AJC President Shari Labovitz told the AJT about her role in bringing a young Wilker back to Atlanta to take the head job with the American Jewish Committee.

In addition to Wilker’s mother, Simone, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul and longtime community leader Sherry Frank took fun shots and complimented Wilker. An excerpt from an older speech showed Wilker referred to the difficulty he felt after Oct. 7 on Day 41. Simone gushed that Dov’s late father would be proud of the man he is today. Israel Consul General to the Southeast Anat Sultan-Dadon found Dov “approachable.”

Certainly, the most emotional sequence closing the program was Wilker’s wife, Julie, and two daughters. With Kleenex in hand, they spoke of him not being able to go out without being recognized, “Even the owner of Goldberg’s, and the server knows his name and order,” said daughter, Avigail. Julie stated even in Timbuktu or Mt. Everest, he finds someone he knows.

More importantly, they spoke of Wilker’s deep and meaningful connection to the Jewish people and his family. “His drive, passion and love for Israel and doing what’s right.”

Tearful himself, Wilker shared, “Tonight, I can say that Atlanta truly is my home.”

He relayed the importance of taking his children to the March on D.C., imprinted from when his father did the same for Soviet Jewry. He then recited a song about not staying silent. “I have never been more humble … Bring them home!”