Beth Tefillah Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The mood was beyond jubilant the night of Dec. 7, when Rabbi Yossi and Dassi New accepted the admiration of Congregation Beth Tefillah celebrating its 40th anniversary in Sandy Springs.

One of the early supporters, Jan Spector, told the AJT, “Rabbi New took a desert and made it bloom.”

Rabbi New’s family portrait. His speech noted that everyone has the same values and gets along very well // Photo Credit: Sarah Slavik Photography

A hilariously roaring comedy routine by CBT former president Jimmy Baron was second only to New’s emotional recounting of the four-decade-long journey, starting with nothing but a card table in 1984 to the Chabad of Georgia over which New now presides, including CBT.

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New said, “Chabad schluchim from all over see our community in Atlanta as the crown jewel … what we have built now is a unique diverse concept where Jews, no matter the background or level of observance, are part of the same community.”

Past CBT president and talented actor Jimmy Baron got the crowd laughing // Photo Credit: Sarah Slavik Photography

More than 360 revelers clad in black and white mingled in rows of wedding-like ivory florals arching over New’s son-in-law Eli Brafman’s New York style gourmet dishes — salads, lamb, soups, vegetables, rice, dips, sauces, and desserts. A crowd favorite was the gravlax carving station.

Sarel New Brafman executed the décor. Pre-program, South Africans chatted about how their initial efforts helped form the base of CBT — Dr. David Westerman. Sandra Bank, Anthony Natureman, Sheryl Westerman, Dr. Leslie Rubin, and Howard Aaron to name just a few.

Artist Dan Mervis created this original ink drawing of the Rebbe. The Elkonouvitches bought it at auction.

Baron, a former actor and award-winning DJ, delivered a smashing and edgy run down of various members with much humor.

Rabbi New took to the stage and began with the early days when they arrived with not much fanfare. He said, “When we were returning from Australia for Pesach, I looked at Dassie and said, ‘No one even knows we are coming back,’ and she said, ‘No one knows we ever left’ … every mistake I made by myself, every good decision, I listened to my wife.”

Rabbi New appreciates son-in-law Eli Brafman’s expert catering.

New explained that this Saturday night was officially Sunday in starting a new parsha, Vayishlach, where Jacob expresses gratitude. New added, “I am humbled. The definition of a happy fulfilled individual and with my two camps: family and community.”

Fueled by the attendance of his family, New stated that the oldest and youngest offspring live out of town, and the seven in the middle are local. Most importantly, “they all get along with each other and are committed to the same values.” He also paid respect to his late mother, father — now 96, and Spalter in-laws.

A well-produced video traced the shul’s 40 years with detail and more joy. Various couples spoke about what CBT has meant to them in forming community. As a young child, Yossi was pictured with his family. Rabbi New recounted how he asked for the Rebbe’s (Menachem Schneerson, the father of the Hasidic dynasty) blessing. “Do I have your blessing?” which was corrected to “I do have your blessing,” referring to how one should think of oneself with positivity.”

The video’s acme was opening the existing building concurrently with son (now) Rabbi Isser New’s bar mitzvah.

Jan Spector (right) had confidence in Rabbi New from the congregation’s inception.

Local artist Daniel Mervis spent months creating an original black inked portrait of the Rebbe. He explained, “Much of this is improvisational. No one piece is the same.”

In a lively auction, Ron and Romi Elkounovitch, who also appeared in the video, bought the painting for $8,500. Representing the younger generation of South Africans, the magnanimous Elkounovitch’s brought their two upbeat Maccabiah-headed soccer playing sons to operate the photo booth.

The gravlax carving station was very popular.

CBT member Ian Ratner said, “CBT’s and Rabbi New’s philosophy of hope, love and positivity are the traits that lead to this. The proof of the pudding of the New’s fulfilling their calling is the vibrant cadre of children at schools learning and playing.”

Rabbi New landed the last words, “Here we are with people who can think differently, even vote differently. That is the uniqueness of our shul. L’Chayim, Mazel Tov, to the next 40 years!”

Rabbi Yossi and Dassi New, take a bow, and soak in the love.