(From left) Rabbi Ari Kaiman, Harold Koslow, Scott, Michelle and Pearlann Horowitz at the dedication ceremony on Oct. 6.
Scott Pearlann and Michelle Horowitz are no strangers to leading and funding projects benefitting the Atlanta Jewish community. Their latest initiative, the complete renovation of the entrance to the Congregation Shearith Israel section of Crestlawn Cemetery, is an effort to benefit one of Atlanta's time-honored synagogue communities. And many might say the makeover is a son's homage to his beloved and philanthropic father.
When family and friends gathered for funeral a little more than two years ago and at the unveiling last year, they could not help but notice the "archaic, old fence" that surrounded the congregation's section at Crestlawn, according to son, Scott. In fact, the backside of the first row of headstones at the section's entrance could not be seen because the fence was so close. The fence had been erected in the 1960s, along with the first 100 plots. Since that time, the number of gravesites had grown significantly and currently stands at 1,250 plots.
"I wanted to create a gateway that would be uplifting and welcoming to family members and visitors. One of our family's dearest friends, Bob London, recommended Rick Anderson, a landscape architect who agreed to design a new entryway and replace the existing landscaping. Over the past year, I have been committed to putting all the pieces in place to make this transformation happen," said Scott.
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Once the landscape design plan was ready, Scott reached out to both the Shearith Israel cemetery committee and Crestlawn Cemetery to gather feedback and gain approval to move forward. Work officially began in March 2024.
"Scott came to our committee with architectural blueprints and sketches showing how the project would move the fence forward so the headstones could be seen. There would also be a new archway and landscaping for the front of our section," said Harold Koslow, chairman of the seven-person Shearith Israel cemetery committee. "Since the project's completion, the feedback from our members has been overwhelmingly positive. The greatly improved appearance has been a huge win for the congregation. This is not the first time the Horowitz family has funded important projects for our synagogue," he added.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Shearith Israel community gathered for the dedication ceremony. Pearlann, Scott and Michelle Horowitz, sat on the front row at the cemetery, listening as Rabbi Ari Kaiman spoke about the event being an opportunity for congregational gathering and joy.
"The new gate and entry allows us to remember this is a place of eternity and remembrance," said Rabbi Kaiman. "This is a blessing and a story. The Horowitz and Gulden families have a long, devoted history at Shearith Israel, and both grandfathers were presidents at the synagogue," he added.
Scott also spoke about sharing his father's passion for involvement in the community and the importance of giving back. He characterized his father, Jerry, as a "do-er" who encouraged him and others to make a difference.
In characterizing her son and the work he had done, mother Pearlann mentioned her husband's nickname, "The Lion King," with Scott being dubbed the "Young Lion" many years ago. Now, she believes Scott has taken on the leadership mantle and will continue to contribute to the Atlanta Jewish community, just as his father did for many decades.
In closing the ceremony, Rabbi Kaiman spoke of buying stones with single-word blessings in Tel Aviv on the day Jerry Horowitz passed away. "It was much earlier in the day, and I did not yet know that Jerry had died. The stones have the Hebrew words for eternity, love and hope written on them. Today I will leave them here at a place that will be beautiful and filled with love and hope for eternity."
Congregation Shearith Israel was founded in 1904 by a minyan of Eastern European immigrants, who named their community Shearith Israel, "Remnant of Israel," to acknowledge their status as pioneers in the American South, and of their dedication to the tradition from which they had come. Today, the Conservative synagogue serves more than 420 families. Shearith Israel offers daily minyan in morning and evening, weekly Shabbat services, children's education, Sisterhood, adult and family programming and education.