Rabbi’s Musical Talent Benefits Temima

The auditorium at the Atlanta Jewish Academy was filled almost to capacity Dec. 9 for the grand finale fundraising concert benefiting the Temima High School For Girls.

Rabbi Menashe Goldberger, a gifted classical pianist, called the concert “the end of an era.”  He began performing for the Atlanta Jewish community in 2005, when his oldest daughter was a sophomore. His youngest daughter will graduate from Temima this year.

Sunday’s program included Rabbi Goldberger playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Dr. Leo Lipis playing classical guitar, and many Hebrew songs performed by the rabbi and four of his adult sons.

In addition, a 15-minute video montage with highlights from the previous 13 concerts delighted the audience.

Rabbi Goldberger, a member of the Atlanta Scholars Kollel, had not played the piano for 23 years when he began taking lessons again. “The real inspiration came from my parents in two ways,” he reflected. “They always encouraged me to keep an open mind regarding resuming my piano. My mother told me I could use my talents to help the Jewish community.”

His mother, Betty Goldberger, was right. The rabbi has raised more than $200,000 for Temima.

He attributed the success of his concerts to collaborating with other musicians, the rabbi told the AJT. “This contributed to a well-rounded program.”

Cantor Gustave Goldberger, the rabbi’s father, sang in his son’s concerts until 2013. While the rabbi and his sons sang Jewish music, four of his grandchildren walked back and forth across the stage dressed in costumes commemorating Jewish holidays.

It all goes to prove: performing and music are a Goldberger family legacy.