Beth Shalom Celebrates a Joyous 50th Anniversary
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch declared March 1 as “Beth Shalom Day.”
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
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.
Co-chair of the 50th anniversary committee, Linda Zimmerman, oversaw a year of special programming leading up to the gala. She said, “Our official incorporation date was April 4, 1974. We held the gala this week to get it in before daylight savings time.”
They had five special “Decade Shabbatot,” recognizing the members who were among the originals. Zimmerman herself crafted five posters that were made for each of the decades highlighting corresponding special events. At each special Shabbat, the kiddush included foods that were popular during those decades. They also had a trivia night with questions from the decades, created a new photo directory, and commissioned a 50th Anniversary Torah.
Linda Zimmerman said, “We just recently finished the writing of that Torah and had a special Shabbat service to welcome it into our sanctuary. A few members are also working on a new needlepoint cover for the new Torah that was designed by a congregant in honor of the 50th.”
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 (even though she never really liked that title).”
He concluded, “This moment is not just about the past 50 years, it is a charge for our future, and I am confident that the future will be a very bright one … may the next 50 years be even brighter than the last.”
Comedian Kington was sponsored by Donna and Arthur Salus, owners of Duluth Travel. Kington, who lives in Kennesaw, is not Jewish and appears on various Christian shows. He was a “crowd pleaser” Saturday night as he was “clean with no foul language” and spoke of many universal travails and foibles with families and in negotiating the world today.
Magnolia Caterer laid out the buffet: hot smoked roasted BBQ chicken, citrus marinated salmon, orzo with vegetables and herbs, fire roasted mushrooms, and grilled Brussel sprouts. The room was glammed up with black and gold balloons and linens. Pianist Richard Siegel played romantic and pop favorites.
Executive board member and vice president of programming Elaine Mebel Strauss (who spent pre-party time hoisting balloons) and Dr. Ben Strauss told the AJT that their young children flourished at the Beth Shalom ALef Bet Preschool and “found the congregation to be friendly, down to Earth, and egalitarian.”
comments