︎

Bert & Esther: selected images from 65 years of marriage 


On December 23, 1951, Esther Sloan, born in Atlanta to Russian Jewish immigrants, married a young refugee named (at that time) Dagobert Lewin — a handsome and well spoken young man who defied her assumptions about an immigrant from the old country. They would go on to build a life, a business, a home, and a family together, and were happily married for sixty five years, until Bert’s death in 2016.

Bert and Esther crossing the threshold on their wedding day. Preparing for the ceremony: Esther with her mother, Eva Sloan. Esther and Bert would live with Eva for many years, as Bert started his business and the two of them started a family. Esther with her sister Ida Borochoff. Esther's closest friend Louise Freedman. Bert and Esther, cutting the cake. Bert & Esther with family. On the left, Esther's brother Meyer Sloan and his wife Beryl; on their right, Esther's sister Ida Borochoff and her husband Charles. Esther putting on her garter before the wedding. Local news articles announcing the couple's engagement. A similar wedding announcement in the November 30, 1951 edition of The Southern Israelite. Esther and Bert on vacation together with family friends the Sturms. Esther and Bert at a surprise birthday party for Esther, party thrown at the home of their son and daughter-in-law Marc & Bev Lewyn. September 1, 1995.