Golf Cart Town Spreads the Miracle

By COLlive reporter

History was made earlier this week by Chabad of Peachtree City, situated outside of Atlanta, Georgia: A golf cart Menorah parade was held for the very first time.

With approximately 100 miles of dedicated golf cart pathways crafted out of the foliage and along the side of the regular streets, Peachtree City is also known as “golf cart town.”

The majority of Peachtree City residents own a golf cart, taking advantage of good weather to leisurely ride along those attractive pathways to their destinations.

Shopping centers in the city have dedicated golf cart parking spots and visitors often rent a golf cart by the hour. High schools in the city have large parking lots as most students travel to and from school by golf cart.

It seemed obvious that “for this year, Chabad will use some of Peachtree City’s typical lore, and organize a Golf Cart Menorah Parade,” says the Shliach Rabbi Yossi Lew.

In the past, Chabad of Peachtree City has featured a major Chanukah celebration in front of City Hall with hundreds typically gathering for a fun-filled party and a Menorah lighting.

Having lived in Atlanta for almost two decades, the Lew family moved in recent years to Peachtree to serve the Jewish population south of Atlanta. “We’ve seen a slow but steady growth of Judaism in the Peachtree City area as well, thanks to the activities of Chabad,” says Rabbi Lew.

The Chabad center provides all the expected programing typical to Chabad, including weekly Shabbos services, adult education, hospitality for those in the area, and, led by Shternie Lew, Hebrew school, women’s club, and programming for Jewish holidays.

Being the only Rabbi – of any denomination – between Atlanta and Macon (a radius of about 100 miles), Rabbi Lew is frequently called upon to visit those who require help, as well as patients in the hospitals and incarcerated inmates.

Also unique to Peachtree City is the high concentration of pilots for Delta Airlines, and other workers in the airline industry. Peachtree City is just a short drive to the Atlanta airport, the world’s busiest airport.

Rabbi Lew has recently been appointed the Jewish chaplain to the airport, under the auspices of the Interfaith Chaplaincy at the airport. He has been working with airport officials on arranging for Kosher food to be extensively available in the concourses of the airport.

The Chanukah parade’s success was largely due to the efforts of untiring Mel Salzman, who custom built specially equipped Menorah’s to fit the designs of golf cart roofs.

“It was a stunning ride and Kiddush Hashem,” Rabbi Lew notes with pride.

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To partner with Chabad of Peachtree City during their annual end-of-the year campaign, visit https://www.charidy.com/chabadpeachtree. The matching funds campaign ends on Thursday, sixth night of Chanukah, at 6:00 p.m. EST.