What began as a chance meeting of several local Jews at a “Who Shot J.R.” party in 1981 has evolved into a congregation of nearly 100 families who will celebrate 31 years of existence on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Congregation B’nai Israel with a 5:30 p.m. potluck dinner, 7 p.m. Havdalah service and CBI anniversary program.
A borrowed Torah and prayer books helped start the only local Jewish congregation on the south side of Atlanta in 1982. With the support of Reverend Jeff Halenza, CBI held services at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale for the first 20 years of its existence. Enough funds were raised over the years to purchase land in 1989 and ground was broken in April of 2002. The first service was held in the new temple on Sept. 6, 2002. Many of the founding members will be in attendance Saturday evening.
Please call CBI at 678-817-7162 for more information about the November 10 event. Congregation B’nai Israel is located near the intersection of Hwy 54 E and Corinth Road, at the Fayette County/Clayton County line.
