THE COLOR OF NATURE

THE SCC’S ANNUAL RUTH JEROME A”H GARDEN & POOL TOUR

SOPHIA FRANCO, PHOTOS BY CAROL SEROUYA

OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES ABE JEROME HAS MADE HIS MARK ON THE DESIGN WORLD, SHAPING COUNTLESS MASTERPIECES, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOME. HIS BELIEF IN THE UNBREAKABLE BOND BETWEEN THE KEY ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE, ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDES HIM, AS DOES A LOVE FOR TIMELESS ELEGANCE AND BEAUTY. MANY SAY THAT HE KNOWS WHAT HIS CLIENTS NEED BEFORE THEY DO. HE IS THAT GOOD.

Since he was a child, Abe traveled extensively alongside his parents, Ruth A”H, and Lou Jerome. At his mother’s insistence, these trips almost always included visits to the most spectacular gardens, including the Sissinghurst Castle Gardens in England, Floriade in Holland, and the Vizcaya Gardens in Miami, among so many others.

Abe reflects, “Every week, from when I was in my twenties, I filled her house with flowers each Shabbat. It made me happy because it made her happy. My mom was convinced that there was no problem that couldn’t be cured with a bit of fresh air and a walk outside. ‘It will change your mood,’ she would say. Because of my mom, I fell in love with nature. I was drawn to landscape architecture way before I ever designed a single room. Everything else stemmed from that gift she gave me.”

When Ruth Jerome passed away in January 2019, Abe knew he would honor her memory through flowers, but could not think of exactly how. In July 2020, when he got a call from Linda Eber, director of social services at the Sephardic Community Center, he found his answer. Abe loved everything about the Center; how they reach every age group, cover every interest and are constantly creating new programming for its members. With Covid in full swing, and indoor activities out of bounds, Linda asked Abe if he could organize a garden tour of some of the interesting projects he did in Deal, New Jersey. He was super busy at the time, but his curiosity was piqued, and in just a few days he sent her a list of some of the most beautiful spots on the Jersey shore.

Sonja Cabasso, Abe’s senior designer, recalls, “Abe and his mom were so close; he was so happy to have found the perfect way to keep her memory alive. To do it for the SCC, was the cherry on the sundae. Not only is his family embedded in the very foundation of the Center, but his father, Lou, enjoys the facilities and activities offered there, to this day. It was perfect.”

Julie Sherr runs the SCC Women’s Culture Club, and has been involved in the Center’s programming for many years. This was a brand-new idea, never before tried. She posted a flyer on Instagram for the upcoming garden and pool tour in the hopes that she would get a nice response. She could never have imagined that they’d be sold out within a couple of hours. 60 people! How many could walk through a garden at once, anyway?

Michelle Safdieh, Abe’s managing director, reflects on the many years spent learning anything and everything about the design business at his side, “I had worked on fundraisers in the past, but to raise money for this event was effortless. Abe is so giving; the people and companies I reached out to said ‘yes’ before I finished the question! I truly love working with Abe. No wonder they were banging down the door to get onto the tour—it’s like dinner and a show with him. He’s truly entertaining.”

There was a fee for entrance, but Abe wanted to do more for the Center. He began to call on different vendors who worked with him on the gardens—the landscapers, lighting companies, railing people, outdoor furniture firms, and more. Very quickly Abe started a spectacular drive for his favorite cause, while encouraging a love for his favorite pastime. “Pretty gardens would always put a smile on my mother’s face,” Abe recalls. “Flowers, plants and vegetables were always part of our summers at the Shore. Mom loved her herb pot by the kitchen door and always remarked about the beauty of the lacecap hydrangeas and the Casablanca lilies growing in our garden. I could not have chosen a more fitting way to honor her.”

Last year, the garden tour was a tremendous success, even with masks on and the temperature in the high 90’s. Abe was thrilled with both the response and the support from his friends in the design industry. This year, attendance doubled, and the waiting list was an arm’s length long. The donations from the event sponsors also grew, and the money will go towards new programming in art, music and discussion groups for both the seniors and the Center Culture Club. Finally, out of Zoom and working toward in-person activities, the SCC is looking forward to a banner year!

I was lucky enough to join the tour this year, and it did not disappoint. Each garden was uniquely beautiful, and reflected the needs of the homeowners and their guests. The integration of the colors of nature and the colors of design were incredible, and it was clear that we have more than a few hidden gems behind the shrubbery that lines our little enclave here in Deal. Abe, as the day’s conductor, was funny and engaging, and gave us not only a floral guide, but some history and architectural lessons as well. He and the Center, do everything in a big way, so there was lunch, snacks, and, of course, goody bags designed especially for the occasion from Scalamandre, filled with flowers and chocolate! The whole day had a warm and inviting feeling, reminding us that Ruth Jerome A”H, was present for every moment.

Sophia Franco, 53, is a mom and grandmother who has been feeding her love of reading and writing for as long as she can remember through poetry, community journalism, and songwriting. She has written many songs with Yaakov Shwekey but the first, I Can Be, has become an anthem for the Special Children’s Center and the community at large.