Rabbi Shalom J. Lewis spent 40 years at the pulpit of Congregation Etz Chaim in East Cobb. Now he's put those decades of sermons, counseling sessions, and conversations into a book.
Lewis, who retired in 2019 as rabbi emeritus, will celebrate the release of "Faith Without the Leap" at a free community event at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 9, at the synagogue, 1190 Indian Hills Pkwy NE, Marietta. The event is open to the public with no registration required.
The book collects essays on belief, doubt, ethics, and tradition. Lewis said it grew out of his entire career.
"This book is the synthesis of my life — an expression of my theology and the evolution of my thinking and beliefs over the years," Lewis said in announcing the release.
Lewis arrived at Etz Chaim as a student pulpit rabbi in 1977, one year after the Conservative synagogue was founded to serve the growing Jewish community in north metro Atlanta. He moved to full-time in 1978 after his ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and stayed for four decades. During that time he served as president of the Southeast Region of the Rabbinical Assembly and president of the Atlanta Rabbinic Association.
Originally from Camden, New Jersey, Lewis graduated from Temple University and holds graduate degrees in education and Judaica. He and his wife, Cindy, have four children and four grandchildren.
When the congregation honored Lewis at a retirement gala in May 2019, then-president Allison Saffran described his lasting impact on the community. "He has an amazing command of the English language and can combine and deliver words in a truly meaningful way," Saffran said at the time, according to the East Cobber. "He challenges people to think beyond what they see at first glance."
"Faith Without the Leap" is available on Amazon. The August 9 launch event marks Lewis's return to the Indian Hills Parkway synagogue where he spent his career.
Upcoming community event:
- Sunday, August 9, 1 p.m. — Book launch, "Faith Without the Leap" by Rabbi Shalom J. Lewis. Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Pkwy NE, Marietta. Free and open to the public.
