Film Celebrates Cobb Rabbi's Dad

A TV movie with East Cobb father as a central character had its world premiere this week in Michigan.

Have a Little Faith is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Mitch Albom and features Oscar winner Martin Landau as Rabbi Albert Lewis, the father of senior rabbi, Shalom Lewis.

The Hallmark Hall of Fame movie will air on ABC (WSB-TV Channel 2) on Sunday, Nov. 27, at 9 p.m.

But it had a special benefit sneak preview in Royal Oak, MI, on Wednesday to raise money for the Rabbi Albert Lewis Fund and Detroit’s A Hole in the Roof Foundation; each received a check for $30,000.

Landau and fellow stars Bradley Whitford and Laurence Fishburne joined Albom at the premiere, as did Detroit Lions and former University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and game-show host Chuck Woolery, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Albert Lewis, who served Temple Beth Sholom in southern New Jersey for 44 years, gets the story started when he asks newspaper columnist and author Albom to write and deliver his eulogy. Albom grew up in Lewis’ congregation.

Landau said he sees Lewis as “saintly” after portraying him in the movie, the Free Press said, and Shalom Lewis said it’s incredible to see his father’s legacy immortalized in Albom’s work.