THE LOWDOWN...Sherry Frank

I Bet You Didn't Know...Frank helped initiate the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition, Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta and has been centrally involved in a wide array of interethnic and interfaith activities.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe October 13, 2022, 12:29 pm Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

Atlanta is chock full of interesting movers and shakers…some bent on creativity, empire building, activism and/or just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some off-the-cuff remarks as to what makes our spotlight, Sherry Frank, tick.

Frank retired in September 2006 after serving for 25 years as the Southeast Area executive director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC). A community activist and intergroup relations specialist, Frank helped initiate the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition, Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta and has been centrally involved in a wide array of interethnic and interfaith activities.

She led several interfaith trips to Israel and participated in the first World Pilgrimage of Jews, Christians and Muslims traveling to Turkey. Frank helped establish Congregation Or Hadash in 2001 and served as president of the congregation from 2009-2011. She has previously served on the boards of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and MAZON, a Jewish nonprofit that addresses food insecurity.

Currently co-president of NCJW Atlanta Section, Frank served as president from 1973-1975 and currently serves on the boards of the AJC, Congregation Or Hadash, Birthright Israel Foundation and the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation. In 2019, she published her personal and professional story, “A Passion to Serve: Memoirs of a Jewish Activist.”

To Atlanta native and mother of four children and 11 grandchildren, happy birthday Sherry, who will turn 80 on Nov. 11.

To what do you owe your resilience?
My father died when I was 11. As a single parent, my mother taught me survival skills that helped face life challenges.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Salty snacks and pizza.

By whom were you star struck?
[Former Georgia Congressman] John Lewis. We were in the chambers for his inauguration in 1987 in the House of Representatives. My son sat on one of Congressman Lewis’ knees while his son sat on the other.

My kids say, “I’m too ——–?”
Generous. They leave my house with enough food for three days.

What’s something silly we don’t know about you?
I cry very easily…even watching a TV advertisement.

If they were to make a movie about your life, who should play the lead?
Meryl Streep.

Your most exotic vacay.
Maybe not as exotic, as heartwarming. I visited Jews struggling to leave the Soviet Union in 1987. I carried letters from Coretta Scott King to hand deliver to women whose husbands were in prison.

What’s your happy place?
Watching a musical at [Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at] City Springs. But note that I absolutely cannot carry a tune. “Anything Goes” was terrific.

What advice would you like to leave for your grandkids?
Make your life count. Build bridges with people different than yourself.