Father Knows Best

Father knows best. The tried-and-true wisdom from a father, be it your dad, grandfather or uncle, is especially special and memorable when passed down through the ages. We asked a lineup of family members the greatest advice they received from the dads in their life. The lessons learned are certainly worthy of repeating.

Al Garber, of blessed memory, grew up in the Hebrew Orphans’ Home in Atlanta, the predecessor to the Jewish Educational Loan Fund. As a result, his son Dr. Stephen Garber shared, “Dad said the most important lesson he learned from the orphanage was gratitude and being grateful for the people who helped him and his sisters along the way. He made that lesson part of his life: helping others to get a start or by giving someone support or advice so they could get to the next step. And by word and deed he taught his children the importance of helping others.”

Al Garber’s legacy of gratitude and giving lives on through his family.

Another father’s seasoned advice, David Gerson was quick to remind son Ed whenever asked a question to which he didn’t have the answer, “Not knowing with a great degree of certainty I find it a delicacy to articulate on a matter of such momentous importance.” As a result of these prized words of wisdom, Ed rarely comments on things without the facts, refusing to pontificate. “Like my dad, I like to only venture an opinion when I have a factual basis to reply.”

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David Gerson, right, with wife Francis, needed all the facts before answering a question

Melvin A. (Mel) Brown passed away at the young age of 61 and was a true gentleman and entrepreneur whose varied interests were in real estate, liquor stores and film as the owner-operator of the Peachtree Art Theatre, an Atlanta icon. Brown was a nationally recognized expert on art films, and a few Emory University professors would make some movies required viewing for their students.

Famed Atlanta author Margaret Mitchell of “Gone with the Wind” fame was on her way to his theater in 1949 when struck by a taxicab at Peachtree and 13th streets. To date, Brown’s legacy of love continues as his son Don and grandson Mark run The Wine Shop at Parkaire and son Larry has been in the real estate business for over 50 years now, joined by son Adam. After Mel and wife Hannah passed (at 92), daughter-in-law Patty took some of Mel’s trademark bow ties and memorialized them in shadow boxes for the family. Mel and Hannah, who both graduated college in the early 1930s, set a legacy that continues to be met by their children and grandchildren.

Jack Freedman shared his insights about kindness and was sweeter than “honey.

And still swinging at 95, in the words of the most optimistic, upbeat father you could ever know, Leon Goldstein inspired many with his positive attitude about life. Goldstein enjoys sitting at Chastain Park with his significant other Marilyn Landau on a bench donated by their children and grandchildren in their honor. Above the swing is an engraved plaque that quotes Leon’s well-preserved advice when asked how is he’s doing: “Never Better – Leon and Marilyn, February 14th, 2021.”

The Goldstein family sticks together with Leon at the helm with his positive attitude.

And on a personal note, my father Jack Freedman, lovingly called Honey by my mom Phyllis and our entire family, shared words of wisdom that summed up his life as a generous soul devoted to making life better for others. In the tradition of his father Morris Freedman, for whom an Atlanta BBYO AZA chapter was named, when asked, “Dad, why are you so good?” He replied without hesitation, “I don’t know how to be bad.’”

On that note, wishing dads, fathers and fathers-to-be good thoughts, good times and a very Happy Father’s Day.