During the early 1900s when Sephardics left Turkey and the island of Rhodes for the United States, many of them immigrated to Atlanta, Georgia. In 1906, two Sephardics, Ezra Tourial and Victor Avzaradel were the first to settle in Atlanta. Others followed and in 1910 a group of 40 families, primarily from the island of Rhodes and Turkey, formed a Sephardic synagogue named Aharath Shalom. Not surprisingly, in 1912, 22 disenchanted Turkish families withdrew and formed their own synagogue, Or Hachaim. In 1914 “sanity prevailed” and the two synagogues merged to form Congregation Or VeShalom (OVS). Today, more than 110 years later, OVS is still a vibrant and progressive synagogue, highly respected and admired in Atlanta’s Jewish community.
By 1935 OVS consisted of about 425 members from 135 families, roughly split down the middle between those from Turkey and those from Rhodes.
The struggling Sephardic immigrants began to open their own businesses with shoemaking being the most popular followed by restaurants, fruit stands and grocery stores. A trip through downtown Atlanta during the first half of the 20th century would reveal Sephardic-operated shoe repair shops servicing the entire downtown area.
The Sephardics found housing in an area on the south side of Atlanta where many Ashkenazis already lived. During these early days over 75 per cent of the members lived in a six-block area around the Keilah. There was hardly a Sephardic home in this area that, upon entering, one didn’t see “dedos” of abudaraho hanging from the ceiling; nor would hardly anyone go into most homes without enjoying the aroma of boyos or burekas in the oven.
OVS grew rapidly in its early years. In 1920 the community purchased property in this six-block area for $8,000 which became its first house of worship.
In 1920 the Nessah Israel society (now called the OVS Sisterhood) was formed. Its impact to OVS has been enormous. Their weekly Tuesday baking sessions and annual Hanukah bazaar have resulted in not only providing Atlanta’s Jewry with boyos, burekas, baklava, etc., but in providing vital financial assistance to OVS.
Life in the ‘30s was a unique experience for the first generation of Sephardic Jews growing up in Atlanta, with the synagogue being the connecting link. Daily Hebrew and Sunday school attendance was mandatory for all kids as well as attendance to Shabbat services. Most of the young boys began working at an early age by having paper routes, or engaging in other entrepreneurial activities. Warm evenings were spent sitting on porches, listening to the radio and communicating with other Sephardic neighbors also on their porches. Whenever someone made boyos or burekas, many of those made were sent “next door or across the street” to fellow Sephardics.
Education, our parents’ most important demand, was constantly stressed. Report cards were examined with scrutiny. If a low grade appeared, a lecture followed.
As the recovery of the depression continued during the mid to late 1930s, so did the living standards of our immigrant families. Their businesses grew and our group became more integrated into Atlanta’s wider Jewish community while still maintaining our extremely close connection to the Sephardic community.
The onset of WWII resulted in the entry of many of the young men into military service. At the end of the war, the men returned home matured, ambitious, and eager to attend college under the GI Bill. Graduates from the universities produced successful attorneys, accountants, businessmen, and doctors.
The returning veterans became the new leaders of OVS, immediately getting involved in all synagogue activities. With the movement of the Sephardics to homes in the north side of Atlanta, a campaign to relocate the synagogue was successful and in 1948 it was moved to the Virginia Highlands area, closer to where many members lived. Having outgrown its house of worship again in the mid 60s, and realizing the continued move north of most of its members, OVS purchased our current campus in 1969, and completed the building of our present synagogue in 1971.
Growth continued throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s with influxes of Mizrahi Jews to Atlanta from across the Middle East as well as a significant influx of Bukharin Jews from the former USSR. During this time period, we also saw the addition of many Ashkenazi Jews to our community, both those “converted” through marriage, as well as friends of members who, while not Sephardic themselves, were attracted to the friendly, warm, and homey feel of Or VeShalom.
As we entered the 21st century, and celebrated our centennial just ten years ago, OVS has continued to adjust and evolve to meet the needs of today’s generation, ensuring that we will be around for my grandchildren to also share the joys of being part of the Or VeShalom family.
Comments