Etz Chaim Goes for Gold at 50th Anniversary

Sparkling gold zeh hav kippahs corresponding to Jerusalem, the “City of Gold,” were the starting points of the 50th anniversary Gala of Congregation Etz Chaim on April 27 with a sold-out capacity crowd. Past presidents, board members and congregants gathered in the synagogue’s social hall, library, and outdoor patio before the formal program began.

Senior Rabbi Daniel Dorsch told the AJT, “It’s hard to attend a gathering like this one and not walk away feeling inspired. I am truly grateful to our members, volunteers, and professional staff past and present, who contributed toward building Etz Chaim. It is a singular privilege to serve as its rabbi. Our future is assuredly bright as we travel full speed ahead into our next 50 years.”

Rabbi Emeritus Shalom Lewis, Barney Epstein, Bob Bachrach, and Senior Rabbi Daniel Dorsch saluted Etz Chaim’s growth // Photo by Clifford Martin

Event chair (along with Barney Epstein) and past President Bob Bacharach echoed, “Fifty years has flown by. I was here for 38 of them — some as COO, nine years as executive director, and seen the congregation mature and bloom with a $4.5 million renovation.”

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Ken and Jodi Danis and Lori Brickman Freeman and Joe Freeman have been members for 30 years.

The program began when Assistant Rabbi Jonathon Adler made the Hamotzi with 96-year-old Lou Rosengarten. Adler, who had recently been featured in the AJT for his mitzvah of a kidney transplant, said, “I am thankful to be here and so grateful for those who worked for the past 50 years to build this community.”

Past President Jamie Platt-Lyons, serving as emcee, noted the congregation’s growth to almost 600 families, reflecting back to Etz Chaim’s inception in 1975 with just six families. Rabbi Dorsch addressed the zeh hav “golden” theme: “What makes something golden refers to the root ‘zev,’ which means ‘gift.’” He explained that 50 years ago the property was farmland and a two-lane road; and pine straw was being sold just down the street. He concluded, “Your sense of belief and giving makes us ‘golden.’”

Platt-Lyons next introduced Rabbi Emeritus Shalom Lewis who started as a student rabbi in 1978. Lewis then rattled off an impressive — almost unlimited — series of Etz Chaim’s milestones: Men’s Club, events with churches, drive-thru Sukkahs, gift shop, ganza, world-class scholar visits, softball teams, ruach singers, retreats, senior programming, Gay Pride Shabbat, confronting a KKK rally, buying a house, buying a church, buying a ball field, and with only two senior rabbis in 50 years.”

The custom cake uplifted the theme // Photo by Clifford Martin

Next up was former president and retired pediatrician Stephen King who spoke about the fragmentation of groups when he led the first joint service in the community room at Parkaire Mall, and the hotbed of antisemitism that they faced from 1975 to 1978. He thanked Marty Gilbert for working through the “years of blood, sweat and tears,” and ended, “G-d said, ‘It was good.’”

Past President Elliott Okrent looks forward to the next 50 years and acknowledged congregant Sam Olens for facilitating the celebration proclamation by Gov. Brian Kemp. He had all past and present volunteers and board members raise their hands to illustrate the involvement of so many.

On April 25, The Marietta Daily Journal featured the congregation’s half-century mark in an article, “Planting for My Children: Cobb’s First Synagogue Celebrates 50 Years.”

The band played a rousing hora and other dance tunes while rabbis and various execs were tossed up in the traditional chair lifting. Debbie Deutsch, religious school director, was thanked for her years of service.

Founding member Linda Weinroth and Rabbi Daniel Dorsch thanked Debbie Deutsch for her educational role.

Benefactor Dr. Raimie Tritt told the AJT, “I’m super excited to have been a long-time member and seen the congregation grow from a small to a vibrant community, now the East Cobb, Marietta synagogue.”

Past President Judy Fineman praised the continued growth and camaraderie, which is really what the spirit of Etz Chaim is all about. She stated, “As President, I wanted to be sure to welcome new members and help everyone continue to be mensches.”

Judy and Dr. Stan Fineman strove to make new members feel welcome during Judy’s presidency.

Former trustee Bonnie Silverman noted that the Etz Chaim library was named for her late son. Past President Linda Pollack summed it up, “Here it feels like home.”

Tropic Catering featured a Mexican station outside, Italian cuisine in the library, and sushi and Asian delights in the social hall. After dessert, the silent auction closed for some happy bidders and winners.