Alembik Pledges Seven Figures at AA

Some special news was delivered at the Ahavath Achim synagogue on Sunday, June 9, at the afternoon Annual Meeting. Attorney Judith Alembik announced a million-dollar donation to the synagogue as a tribute to her son, Gary, who took his final bow as synagogue president.

Beloved for his dedication and cordiality, Gary Alembik told the AJT, “I wasn’t surprised by my mom’s endowment … together, we identified a gift that would have meaningful impact on the shul. My parents placed great emphasis on my education, particularly Jewish education. Creating an endowment for Ahavath Achim’s youth education program was an ideal choice and aligned perfectly with my parents’ values. I hope this will inspire others to contribute to their shul’s endowment. As membership revenue declines, it’s imperative that synagogues grow their endowment, ensuring sustainable financial security for future generations. L’dor va D’or, from generation to generation.”

Judith Alembik added that her choice for supporting youth programs was linked to her values in that Jewish education holds a deep significance as it did for her late husband, Aaron.

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She said, “I understand the substantial cost associated with maintaining a vibrant youth education program and the necessity for synagogues to subsidize these expenses to keep them affordable for young families. By creating an endowment, we have established a lasting income stream to support our young families, and AA’s youth education program for years to come.”

(Left) Gary Alembik is credited with increasing inclusivity at the synagogue and in its leadership.

A Holocaust survivor, Aaron Alembik arrived in the U.S. after the war with little more than the clothes on his back. Through the extraordinary generosity of family members here in Georgia who sponsored Aaron and his family, they were able to rebuild their lives, pursue an education, careers, and raise families. She stated, “Aaron frequently expressed profound gratitude towards the U.S. for taking him in and for the opportunity to achieve success. He often attributed his accomplishments to “hard work and a lot of mazel.”

Judith Alembik grew up in a middle-class family in Vienna, Va., where her father was a negotiator for the American Trucking Association. She attended American University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in chemistry and biology. At the time, Aaron Alembik was an associate with Arnall Golden and Gregory and often visited Washington on business. Judith was focused on a career in medicine when Aaron’s French accent, intellect, and charm made it “impossible to refuse” his proposal. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage and later practiced law together — he was in real estate while Judy focused on family law. Their firm lasted more than 20 years.

Another commentary on Gary’s leadership role was related in the Atlanta Jewish Times on June 14, 2022, where he mused about his being a pioneer representing the LGBTQ+ community when he said, “I am a Conservative Jew and gay. For many years, I had difficulty finding acceptance in the Conservative Jewish community. I represent a new face in the leadership at Ahavath Achim. I am the face of diversity and inclusion.”

Judith echoed this to the AJT, “I am immensely proud of Gary for serving as president and for his numerous accomplishments … I am especially impressed by the culture transformation that Gary and our rabbis have brought to AA. Through Gary’s leadership, Ahavath Achim has become a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.”

She recalled, “I was pleasantly surprised when Gary was selected as Ahavath Achim’s President. He stands out as the most diverse president AA has ever had, bringing a unique perspective and set of experiences. This milestone is not just a personal achievement for Gary, but also a significant step forward for AA. I hope his presidency has paved the way for members of the LGBTQ+ community to assume leadership roles [in various causes].”

Judith summarized, “I’m eager to see our gift at work. I can’t wait to drop by AA on a Sunday morning to see the faces of the young people and the families benefiting from our endowment gift.”

As the summer unfolds, Judith will announce additional significant grants to benefit the Jewish community.