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June 20, 2003/Sivan 20 5763, Vol. 55, No. 43
Green thumb gratitude
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Hy Mandell stands in front of an estrog tree in the biblical garden at Temple Beth Shalom that bears his name.
Photo courtesy of Hy Mandell
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One Sun City synagogue has recognized one of its members for his roots in the congregation.
Temple Beth Shalom has renamed its biblical garden "The Hy Mandell Temple Beth Shalom Biblical Garden" to honor Hy Mandell, who planned, developed and cultivated the garden.
Mandell, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former civil engineer, began planning the garden in 1985, after the idea was mentioned during a Shabbat service. "The idea intrigued me," he says.
He spent about a year and a half doing research before embarking on his horticultural undertaking in 1986.
Featured in the garden, which is about 180x180 feet, are more than 40 trees, bushes and other plants that are mentioned in the Bible, Mandell says. Alongside each piece of vegetation, a sign lists Hebrew and English translations of the biblical quote where the fruit or plant is mentioned.
Members of the congregation are "invited to help themselves anytime anything is ready," Mandell says - food that includes black and white figs, almonds, olives and pomegranates. Other elements of the garden include a grape arbor, a bed of roses, a fountain, a gazebo and a sculpture.
Besides trimming the roses, Mandell supervises the gardener who does the heavy trimming, replaces plants and takes care of plants throughout the property.
He also leads tours of the garden to church groups and Sunday school classes.
In addition, Mandell leads a Tu B'Shevat service at the synagogue, says Sonia Karp, Temple Beth Shalom immediate past-president.
The synagogue decided to name the garden after him "because it was his original concept to have it," Karp says. He was the one who planned it, developed it and takes care of it, she notes.
The decision was made during a March board meeting, when board members decided to name it for him so he "can appreciate and understand the gratitude that we all feel for what he has done in the past and for what he is still doing," Karp says.
Mandell, who lives in Sun City with his wife Golda, was surprised by the honor.
"That was something else," he says. "That came as a shocker, but a very pleasant one. ...It's nice to be recognized."
For a tour of the garden, call the synagogue, 623-977-3240.
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