Jacobson Brotherhood Award highlight of annual program
In few places is International Brotherhood Week celebrated as profoundly and enthusiastically as it is in Waycross. Hebrews, Christians — those of all creeds, faiths and cultures — gather each February to celebrate the kinship of man..
The Waycross Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, 610 Screven Avenue invites the public to the annual hour-long brotherhood program at 2 p.m, Sunday, February 8.
The climax will be the bestowing of the 2026 Morris Jacobson Brotherhood Award to a local person whose selfless service to 'the family of man' is noted.
Last year's recipient was Clay Thomas.
Another accolade will be bestowed at the event as the Paul Tang Memorial Good and Faithful Servant Award for benevolence and community service is presented posthumously to honor David Callaway. His family will receive a plaque recognizing his plethora of contributions to Waycross and surrounding areas.
The spirit of “brotherhood” was epitomized by the generosity of the late Morris Jacobson, a Latvian immigrant who established a family clothing store in Waycross and sowed the seeds of brotherhood as few people have.
Jacobson was known for putting the needs of others above his own his entire life. He and his family over the years gave away many thousands of dollars in new clothes and shoes to needy families and individuals.
The Brotherhood Award was given by the Hebrew Congregation annually from 1954 through 2020. Because of Covid, the program was not observed in 2021 and 2022. Recent honorees were Niki Spivey in 2023, Cathy Sweat in 2024, and Thomas a year ago.
Performing special selections for the program’s “musical interlude” Sunday will be the Ware County High School Chorus.
As always, there will be a Hebrew and a Protestant speaker delivering brief remarks on the occasion. Brother Dan Bennett will give the Brotherhood message. The Brotherhood address is to be made by local Rabbi Moshe Elbaz.
Vic Drawdy, Rabbi Rich Luskin, Thomas and Gary Griffin also will take part in the program.
Following the program, the Sisterhood of the local Hebrew congregation will serve refreshments to all attending in the synagogue anteroom.
