Temple Kehillat Chaim Turns Back Clock for Its 40th

They say the 40th anniversary is the Ruby Anniversary, as the ruby represents a passionate inner flame still burning after four decades. That symbolism certainly applies to the marriage between a local Jewish community and its millennia-old traditions, culture and heritage.

This March, Temple Kehillat Chaim (TKC) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a retro, 1980s-themed gathering that featured dinner, dancing, trivia, games and a silent auction.

Lori Dreffin, Debbie Lutchen and Steve Singer were definitely in party mode.

Rabbi Jason Holtz spoke about the importance of the anniversary and what it meant to the local Jewish community.

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“We were celebrating 40 years of friendships, 40 years of community, 40 years of learning, 40 years of Jewish life in our congregation,” Holtz said. “When Rabbi Harvey Winokur first began the congregation in 1982, he was the only local rabbi to officiate at interfaith weddings. Ever since then, we’ve made a huge effort to welcome people of all sorts into our congregation.”

Holtz added that maintaining a welcoming atmosphere has been vital to the success and legacy of the temple’s presence in the community.

Sara Polikov, Amy Deich, Michelle Wallace and Robin Shafer turned back the clock to the ’80s.

“Being warm and welcoming aren’t just words for us — it’s central to our mission,” he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a special dedication that was included in TKC’s Kol Kehillah monthly newsletter, in which he honored the event and commented on its significance.

“The world has changed quite radically,” Herzog said. “However, our Jewish values, which highlight the importance of Jewish community, of praying together, of improving our world, of joining hands to reach out to those in need – these are more pronounced than ever before.”

Herzog said he appreciates the efforts of Rabbi Winokur and Alan Abrams in founding Temple Kehillat Chaim four decades ago.

“Your congregation has grown beautifully, as has your impact on the broader community in Roswell, two feats worthy of celebration,” Herzog said.

The event was catered by S&J’s Woodfire Pizza and featured music by DJ Klara Menaker; other vendors included The Wandering Camper Photo Booth and Dan Eifert.

Jeffrey and Nicole Seltzer had a good time at the party.

Event sponsors included The Dreffin Family; Marjorie and Seymour Levine Karen and Jack Fishman; The Teplis Family; The Markowitz Family; TKC Sisterhood; The Litman Family; The Waller Family; and business sponsors Polikov Recruitment Solutions, Georgia Natural Gas, Yoga Six and Atlanta Pipe and Drape.

For Rabbi Holtz, the party was a celebration of the past with a nod to the future.

“[It] isn’t just about remembering the last 40 years, it’s looking forward to the next 40,” Holtz said. “The reasons for founding TKC 40 years ago are still with us — to have an inclusive, intimate and imaginative center of Jewish life.”