Harry Epstein

Family-Placed Death Notice

RABBI HARRY H. EPSTEIN Age 100, died peacefully at home on Friday morning May 2, 2003. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Reva Chashesman Epstein, in May of 2001, after 73 years of marriage. Rabbi Epstein assumed the pulpit of Atlanta's Ahavath Achim Congregation in 1928. He served for 54 years until his retirement in 1982, then becoming Rabbi Emeritus. The Rabbi was recognized as one of the great Jewish scholars of the 20th Century. In 1938, his service and leadership was noted when the congregation honored him with a lifetime appointment to it's pulpit. Rabbi Epstein was recognized as a spiritual leader, adjudicator, educator, author, speaker, fund raiser, maintainer of tradition and at the same time, "a catalyst for change." The Rabbi's world-wide recognition as a leader was based on his firm conviction to maintain the highest moral principles of Jewish life as his guidepost and he never wavered from his dedication to teaching, learning and Jewish values which were at the core of his being. Rabbi Epstein was born April 1, 1903 in Lithuania and moved to Chicago in 1909. He was educated in Chicago, Israel and the famous center of learning at the Slobodka Yeshiva in Lithuania. He was ordained in 1926 by the most prominent rabbis of the time. He accepted his first and only other pulpit in 1927 in Tulsa, Oklahoma before coming to Atlanta the next year. He continued his studies at Emory University in Atlanta where he received a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree and a Master of Arts in Theology in 1932. From the University of Illinois School of Law, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree and a Doctorate in Theology. In 1966, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America-at that time the only Rabbi from the South to be so honored. Ahavath Achim was originally an Orthodox congregation. In 1952, under the Rabbi's leadership, the congregation joined the Conservative Movement. It eventually became the largest Conservative Congregation in the South and one of the largest in the country. He always recognized the need for change and progress. Before making many of his significant decisions, he met with the leaders of the congregation and told them of his plans. "I'm not making these changes for myself or you, but for your children and your grandchildren." Rabbi Epstein led his congregation into greater local, state, regional and national affairs. He served on the City of Atlanta community relations commission, was the Jewish Chaplain from 1946-1951 at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, and was the civilian Chaplain to military bases during World War II. He served as President of several Rabbinic organizations, Atlanta B'nai and Brith, Atlanta Zionist Organization, was Man of the Year for the National ORT and JNF and received the B'nai Brith ADL Human Relations Award in 1970. The Epstein School-Solomon Schechter School of Atlanta-was established by Rabbi Epstein in 1973 in recognition of the need for a conservative day school in Atlanta. It's student body has grown to more than 650 ranging in age from two years to the eighth grade. It was one of his proudest achievements as it provides the highest quality of general Judaic education. The school has become a positive force in Atlanta by involving itself with other Jewish institutions and the larger community. Rabbi Epstein's rabbinic heritage came from his father, the late Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, who served as senior Rabbi of Congregation Anshe Kneseth Israel in Chicago for 51 years. He was strictly Orthodox, but could deal with the world on it's own terms. His desire and efforts to appeal to Younger generations obviously motivated his son. Rabbi Epstein's uncle, the late Rabbi Moshe Mordecai Epstein, a renowned scholar and teacher in his own right, also exerted profound influence on his young nephew. Rabbi Epstein is survied by his daughters Renana (and the late Bennet) Lavin and Davida (James) Weiss of Chicago, grandchildren, Jonathan (Susan) Lavin, Rachel (Elaine Burgher) Lavin, Deborah (Mark) Fertel and Julianne Weiss; great-grandchildren, William and Judah Lavin, Sarah and Ryan Lavin-Burgher, Benjamin Huss, Emma Rebecca and Isaac Fertel; sister, Sylvia (Milton) Pekay and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 5, at 2:00 P.M. at Ahavath Achim Synagogue with Rabbi E. Noach Shapiro and Cantor Isaac Goodfriend officiating. Also participating will be Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz and Rabbi Mario Karpuj. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Rabbi Epstein may be made to the Rabbi Harry H. Epstein memorial fund at Ahavath Achim Synagogue at 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue N.W. Atlanta, GA 30327 or to the Epstein School 335 Colewood Way Atlanta, GA 30328. Shiva will be observed follwing the funeral at 2545 Arden Rd. N.W.; Minyan Services will be held at Ahavath Achim Synagogue daily at 7:15 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Arrangements by Jewish Funeral Care of Eternal Light, 3734 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Atlanta, 770-451-4999.