01907_Winter_2019

10 | 01907
Esther and Arthur Goldberg
believe in giving back
BY STACEY MARCUS
Philanthropy and supporting one's
community have always been intricately
woven into the fabric of Esther and
Arthur Goldberg’s lives. “You have to
give back,” said Arthur, managing partner
of Nathanson & Goldberg, a Bostonbased
law firm. “Giving back and being
part of the community
is an integral part
of our upbringing,”
added wife Esther, a
nationally-recognized
and award-winning
WW (Weight
Watchers) group leader.
This summer, the
couple received the Dr.
Bennett I. Solomon
Community Leadership
Award for their lifelong
commitment to Hillel
and philanthropy to the
Jewish community on
the North Shore and in
Greater Boston. More
than 400 individuals
gathered at Legal Sea
Foods in Boston to
celebrate the Goldbergs
and enjoy a performance
of the Tony Awardwinning
musical "Dear
Evan Hansen" at the
Boston Opera House.
The Solomon
Community Leadership
Award was established by Cohen Hillel
Academy (now Epstein Hillel School) in
Marblehead to serve as a living legacy to
the school’s principal and to recognize
individuals' commitment to the school
and its community.
Esther served as vice president
for both Hadassah and Temple Israel
Sisterhood and as a board member of
Hillel Hebrew High School, an affiliate of
Prozdor. Arthur has held many leadership
roles in the community, notably at
Epstein Hillel School as a member of the
board of directors, finance committee,
and board of trustees as well as Greater
Boston chairman of Israel Bonds and
president of Kernwood Country Club.
Both are an only child of Holocaust
survivors.
On a scorching summer day in 1974,
Arthur’s secretary invited the couple to visit
Devereux Beach in Marblehead. They drove
from their apartment in Medford, where
Arthur and Esther Goldberg of Swampscott stand in the playground at the Epstein Hillel School in
Marblehead that they helped renovate. The Swampscott couple received the Dr. Bennett I Solomon
Community Leadership Award for their philanthropy to the school and the Jewish community.
PHOTO: PAULA MULLER
the temperature hovered near 100 degrees.
Arthur noted the couple’s attraction to the
area, the beach air and the solid Jewish
community. “Let’s take a shot!” he said to
Esther when a handyman’s special on West
Street became available. “The handyman
moved in,” he said, then laughed.
The Goldbergs moved to Bradlee
Avenue in Swampscott four decades ago.
“Swampscott is a tremendous place to
raise kids,” said Arthur, pointing to the
beaches, parks and sports as key attributes,
along with great restaurants and public
transportation. He served as chair of the
Swampscott Finance Committee for
four years and was a School Committee
member for three years.
“We love the small-town feeling
here,” said Esther, who fondly recalls
their children’s active involvement in
sports programs.
The Goldbergs became involved in
Epstein Hillel when their son, Howard,
attended the school
when it was based in
the lower level of the
former Temple Israel in
Swampscott. They were
instrumental in rallying
the community to raise
the funds necessary
to construct Epstein
Hillel’s permanent
home in 1986. Both
have worked tirelessly
to support the school,
even after their
children graduated.
"We both went to
Hebrew day school and
wanted our children
to go to Jewish day
school,” said Esther.
Arthur recalls his
mother telling him that,
“A child’s laughter is
God’s music.” Her words
were the inspiration
for the couple in the
creation of the Goldberg
Family Park.
They are the proud parents of three
grown children, all Hillel alumni:
Howard, class of 1991, who is special
projects coordinator at the school;
Miriam, class of 1993; and Jason, class of
1997. They are even prouder grandparents
of Wes, Wyatt, Max, Vera, and Remy.
The Goldbergs currently reside in The
Landing at Vinnin Square and adore
their life in Swampscott. “Walking along
the beach is so beautiful,” said Esther,
who said it looks different each time.
Arthur enjoys time at the Swampscott
Club, where he likes “hanging around and
watching people walk on the beach.”