Marcus Legacy Honored with New Torah Scroll

Bernie Marcus has long been associated with sea life, home repair, and philanthropy. Now Chabad Intown, one of his beneficiaries, has moved forward with a new way to honor his legacy.

Chabad Intown Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman explained, “As a lasting expression of our gratitude, we sought a way to honor Bernie’s memory that would reflect both his values and ours. We arrived at something deeply meaningful: the commissioning of a brand-new Torah scroll. At the heart of Jewish life — our values, our acts of kindness, our connection to Israel, and our moral clarity — lies the Torah. Bernie often spoke of how his deep sense of giving and commitment to tzedakah came from his Jewish mother, who had inherited that same tradition from generations before her. Tradition!”

On Nov. 4, 2024, Atlanta and the world lost this great leader in Marcus at the age of 95. Known to many simply as “Bernie,” he was a visionary who helped shape Atlanta’s broader landscape and played a transformative role in the Jewish community, both locally and across the globe. Together with wife, Billi, Bernie’s philanthropy spanned a range of causes from medical research and autism care to veterans’ services, the promotion of free enterprise, and the overall vitality of the city of Atlanta. His generosity extended deep into the Jewish world and the land of Israel, reflecting a commitment to the future of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Schusterman continued, “Chabad Intown was privileged to be among the many beneficiaries of Bernie’s support. True to his entrepreneurial spirit, Bernie gave with the mindset of an investor — expecting growth, impact, and meaningful results. The strength and presence Chabad Intown enjoys today as a vibrant center for Jewish life in the heart of Atlanta is, in no small part, thanks to the vision and generosity of the Marcus family. Bernie’s legacy — his sense of responsibility, generosity, and Jewish pride — is rooted in that same tradition. What better way to honor his life than through a Torah scroll, the very soul of Jewish continuity?”

Also, Chabad Intown chose to commission this smaller-sized Torah with which children can hold and interact, strengthening personal connections to heritage and future. The first letters were previously outlined by the scribe in Israel and then completed in a private ceremony here with the Marcus family guided by a local scribe. The Torah will be completed and dedicated in time for Bernie’s first yahrzeit, on Oct. 26, in a joyful, community-wide celebration, a gathering filled with song, unity, and meaning.

Rabbi Schusterman said, “In true Jewish tradition, we will come together — young and old, individuals and families, to write the final letters, carry the scroll through the streets, and dance it into its new home. We invite the entire community to take part in this special mitzvah — a living, lasting tribute to Bernie’s extraordinary life, his enduring values, and the timeless traditions he cherished so deeply.”

Bernie’s son, and Atlanta Jewish Times owner and publisher, Michael Morris, added, “My father’s legacy can be seen and felt within many communities: the Atlanta Jewish community, Israel, The Home Depot employee community, medical research at many top organizations and hospitals in Atlanta and around the country. This Torah, in his name and honor, will create a new communal legacy for his family that will endure for generations.”

To participate, please visit www.theberniemarcustorah.com.