Rabbi Alvin Sugarman

Tribute Issue 

A special magazine tribute issue dedicated to Rabbi Sugarman's life and work was published in March 2025:

Memorial Service Recording

To view the service from Sunday, January, 19, 2025, click below:

Rabbi Sugarman's Retirement Gala Tribute

View the video of highlights from Rabbi Sugarman's life and career from his 2003 retirement celebration:

Biography

A native of Atlanta, Rabbi Sugarman received his BBA from Emory University and was ordained by Hebrew Union College. In 1974 he was named senior rabbi at The Temple. In December 1988 he received his Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Emory University.

Sugarman served as president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association and the Southeast Association of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, as well as Treasurer of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Sugarman co-founded The Temple Night Shelter for the Homeless (now Zaban Paradies Center) in 1984 and Genesis Shelter (now Our House) in 1993. Sugarman was known for his interfaith outreach and was a member of Higher Ground,  a group of four long-time Atlanta faith leaders. 

Sugarman served on a wide range of boards in the Jewish and Atlanta community, ranging from the Atlanta Jewish Federation to his position on the Board of Trustees of Emory University. In 2008, Rabbi Sugarman was honored with the Emory Medal, the highest award given to an Emory alumnus. He also served as a consultant to the Marcus Foundation and taught at Mercer University as an adjunct professor.

Rabbi Sugarman was married to the former Barbara Herman and had two children, Leah Siegel and Lanie Kirsch, and four grandchildren, Noah, Ryan, Amanda and Aaron.

Obituary

Alvin Marx Sugarman, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, a beloved rabbi, and a dedicated public servant and leader of the Atlanta community, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on January 17, 2025. Born on June 3, 1938 at Georgia Baptist Hospital to Helene Marx and Meyer Louis Sugarman, Alvin liked to say he was born on third base of the old Atlanta baseball park which began his lifelong love and devotion to his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.

Growing up in Atlanta gave him great joy and a sense of pride in his community. He had a love of learning which began at Morningside Elementary and Grady High School, and continued with earning both his undergraduate and later Ph.D. degrees at Emory University. Alvin cared deeply about the relationships he formed with friends and maintained numerous close childhood friendships throughout his entire life.

He began his professional journey in the business world at Montag Inc. selling paper products, but his search for answers to life's questions led him to Hebrew Union College and the rabbinate. Alvin served as Senior Rabbi for over 30 years at The Temple; the very place where he grew up, was confirmed, and attended services and Sunday School as a boy.

Alvin's love story with Barbara Dee (née Herman), his wife of nearly sixty years, was one of true devotion. They met on a blind date in December 1964, and he proposed just five days later. Alvin adored Barbara and wanted the world to know, often expressing his love for her in heartfelt Facebook posts.

In midlife, Alvin became an avid runner, often running eight miles from his home to The Temple wearing his signature Hawaiian shorts. He delighted in sharing stories of delivering the invocation before running the Peachtree Road Race. He got a kick out of being called an "Academy Award winning Rabbi" and loved sharing that he was listed 7th in the credits of Driving Miss Daisy where he played the role of Dr. Weil, the Rabbi at The Temple.

Alvin believed deeply that we are all children of God, no matter what race, religion, color or creed. This conviction guided his actions and relationships, inspiring countless others with his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to helping those in need. He ensured that not a single day passed without doing something to uplift someone else, and wherever he saw a need, he tried to fill it. Ahead of a deep winter freeze in Atlanta in 1984, he tirelessly spearheaded an initiative with The Temple's lay leadership to find a solution for Atlanta's homeless. 48 hours later, the doors opened to what is now the Zaban Paradies Center, the first and only shelter in Atlanta for homeless couples. Following Zaban's success, he called on churches in the Peachtree Corridor to join The Temple in establishing the Genesis Shelter (now called Our House), for homeless newborn babies and their families.

He was a member of The Atlanta Rotary Club and actively served on numerous boards throughout his career. Of particular importance to him in recent years, was his work on Emory University's Board of Trustees and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was not only a member of the Board, but a patient.

Alvin was a passionate advocate for social justice, interfaith work, and civil rights, working tirelessly to build a more equitable and connected community. His dedication was recognized with countless awards including the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Abe Goldstein Human Relations Award from the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee's Selig Distinguished Service Award, and the Emory Medal, the highest honor Emory University bestows on its alumni. He was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to the first Georgia Human Relations Commission, was asked by Ambassador Andrew Young to dedicate the Martin Luther King Jr. Street in Jerusalem alongside Mayor Teddy Kollek, and worked alongside Hosea Williams to help lead the 1987 Forsyth County protests.

In spite of his intense focus on the community, Alvin made time for and cherished every moment with his family, offering them unwavering love, support, and laughter throughout his life. Alvin was predeceased by his parents; his brother-in-law, Donald Herman; and sister-in-law, Barbara Jean Herman. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Sugarman; his daughters, Lanie Kirsch (Greg) and Leah Siegel (Blaine); his grandchildren, Amanda Knock (Phil), Aaron Kirsch (fiancée Erica Thomas), Noah Siegel, and Ryan Siegel; sister-in-law, Carol Herman; brother-in-law, Floyd Herman; numerous nieces; nephews; cousins; and his extended family and friends, who will forever carry forward his memory and legacy. Alvin Marx Sugarman's life was a testament to the power of faith, love, and service. His memory will continue to inspire those who knew him and those whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing.

The family has requested that Alvin's memory be honored with donations to Our House, The Marcus Center for Autism, and The Temple. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 19 at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.