Chabad Gala/Fundraiser

Chabad 20^th Dazzles

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

 

On Sunday April 13^th, more than 350 people attended Chabad’s 20^th anniversary gala honoring Maxine and Joe Kirshenbaum, and Gail and Mike Yanney. The event was held at the new KANEKO creativity center at 1111 Jones. The gala, which was set to begin at 5:30 PM with cocktails among Jun Kaneko’s huge ceramic sculptures, was already brimming with people by 5:25. By six, a full house was noshing on Hap Abraham’s kosher hors d’oeuvres and enjoying the brand new facility.

 

A shofar signaled the move to the fabulous new Bow Truss room, where a sea of candles glowed amidst the table decorations. At the head of the event sat a colorfully lit stage, ready with two giant simcha challahs prepared by Susan Witkowski.  A concert grand piano was on loan from a very generous Joslyn. Hal France serenaded the guests as they entered. The perimeter of the room held four flat screen televisions, playing a slide show displaying pictures of two decades of Chabad’s involvement in Nebraska.

 

Honoree Maxine Kirshenbaum praised the committee for their dedication: “The evening was as professional as you can get. The venue was new and wonderful, it had a gala quality, and it was truly fun. The table, the centerpieces, and the flowers were beautiful. And the musicians were spectacular as promised. On a scale of one to ten, I give this one a twelve.”

 

Honoree Joe Kirshenbaum continued: “It was a fabulous evening, and it was done so professionally. I think Chabad has been very special to this community. I feel they respect me and I respect them. They don’t approach people demanding drastic change. They just inspire you to become one step better than you were before. They contribute many mitzvahs to this community, and I’ve always admired them.”

 

The evening’s theme, Mitzvah’s and Music, set the stage for the program. Bruce Simon recognized the honorees, and Master of Ceremonies Debbie Denenberg wove stories about Chabad throughout the program. “Tonight we’ve assembled people from very diverse places and backgrounds. An underlying theme for our evening is that there’s hope for the world, and it begins in Omaha. We must all stand together as one family of humankind.”

At one point, Denenberg feigned the beginning of a long speech only to be cut off by the grand entrance of William Shakespeare, in full period dress, played by area actor Michal Simpson. “I’m here for my festival! Where is it?” he demanded, referring to Mike and Gail Yanney’s role as  Co-Chairs of the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival.

 

With that trick, the program cut straight to the music. Stanislov Ioudenitch from Uzbekistan played pieces by Franz Liszt for fifteen minutes, demonstrating the technique and artistry that won him the prestigious 2001 Van Cliburn Piano Competition.

 

Next, Marcelo Guzzo from Uruguay serenaded the audience.  His striking stage presence backed a rich baritone voice. He began with an Italian aria, and two Broadway pleasers, To Dream the Impossible Dream, and Some Enchanted Evening. He concluded with Granada.  Marcelo Guzzo debuted at Carnegie Hall earlier this year. Both artists received standing ovations.

 

Tippi Denenberg, Program Chairperson, commented today: “We are so grateful for every one who supported or attended the gala. The energy that night was electric. I was thrilled to see how universally accepted the event was, and I was very excited that so many people value and support Omaha’s Chabad House.  The program was better than world-class because it was grounded by the spirituality of Chabad and their mission to tilt the world toward goodness. My email in-box is overflowing with raves. My hats of to the people that started it all–Chabad, the Kirshenbaums, the Yanneys–and to the people who made it actually happen: our extraordinary gala committee”.

 

Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman warmly thanked the community for a 20 year adventure. They moved here not knowing what to expect, but firm in their commitment to be “shlichim” or emissaries of the Rebbe’s teachings.

“I am so grateful to the remarkable honorees, Shani Katzman said.  “They are outstanding leaders in our community.  Their warm friendship and staunch support of Chabad is heartwarming and sincerely appreciated and valued.  What a fitting tribute to these stellar individuals who serve as role models in our midst!”

Shani Katzman continued by saying: “The Rebbe always encouraged us to take stock, celebrate, and then move forward with greater strength, determination, and focus.  We hope this event will serve as the impetus for the expansion and growth of Chabad in the numerous ways it serves our community.  We hope more people will take advantage of our services and the myriad educational opportunities we provide.  We pray that we will continue to inspire and teach, that people will take to heart the message of the ‘one Mitzvah that makes a world of difference’.”

 

 

 

Friedel Jewish Academy Fundraiser

Friedel Offers Dining for a Good Cause

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

 

On Sunday June 1^st, 2008, the Board of Friedel Jewish Academy will host a Gala dinner at Beth Israel. Board member Bruce Potash, whose daughter Sarah attends Friedel, is spearheading the effort to pull it all together: “We have a great group of dedicated parents and community members that have generously offered to put time and energy towards this. Jeff and Danielle Gordman, Aaron and Lise Sasson, Bob and Kim Goldberg, Jeff and Sherry Taxman, and my wife Linda and I are co-chairing the event; Phyllis Friedel is serving as honorary chair.” Potash expressed excitement about the evening’s program, which will include a raffle, as well as Israeli-themed food in honor of Yom Yerushalaim, since the Gala falls on that day. Yom Yerushalaim commemorates the capture of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War. “This is no ordinary raffle, where you bid on items and take them home,” he says. “Instead, we will be auctioning off various opportunities to sponsor the school, by adopting certain programs, such as swimming lessons, library expenses, or Shabbat in the classroom.”

Susan Fellman-Witkowski, parent of first grader Gabrielle, and co-President of the Friedel Board, says: ” One doesn’t necessarily need to be a parent, or have children who are currently students at the school. We welcome everybody in the Jewish community to get involved, and become part of the Friedel family. We look forward to our future together, working and growing within the community.”           

The Gala committee has an impressive list of honorees, who have, all in their own way, meant much to Friedel. “Donald Gerber’s children, Audrey and Ben, have graduated from Friedel,” Bruce Potash says, “but he has continued to support the school by serving on the Board and is extremely dedicated to education.”  Committee member Danielle Gordman agrees: “Don Gerber is the epitome of whom we want involved in our school. While he could dedicate his limited free time to a myriad of other causes, he has chosen to continue his invaluable support to Friedel. Because of people like him, other students will have the wonderful experience his children had. His board involvement, humor, and musical talents make him a more than worthy recipient of this award.”

Honoree Cookie Katskee is retiring as principal after a long and fruitful career. Soon she will pass the torch, and all involved with the school are eager for an opportunity to thank her for all she has done. “Cookie Katskee has brought the school to a whole new level,” Gordman says, “her experience in the public school system really helped legitimize our general studies program further. While it was already stellar, thanks to our incredible teachers, Cookie elevated it even more.”  Gordman is enthusiastic about being on the Gala committee; especially since daughter Harper started Kindergarten at Friedel in the Fall of 2007, it is important for her and her husband Jeff to be involved as much as possible: “Jeff and I are committed to helping Friedel grow and flourish, and we are thrilled to be a part of this dinner. Raising community awareness and the necessary funds are key in Friedel’s continued success. While we understand that choosing the appropriate school for your children is a very personal decision, and Friedel is not everybody’s first choice, we cannot imagine Harper being anywhere else. To ensure a strong Jewish community, Omaha needs to have a healthy and thriving Jewish Day school.  More community involvement as well as financial support is always needed.”

            The final honorees of the Gala are Eric and Julie Phillips. Their daughter Lily graduated in 2006, and daughter Eva currently attends sixth grade and will graduate this coming May.  Eric Phillips is a member of Friedel’s Board, while Julie “IS the Art Program,” according to Danielle Gordman. “We are so very humbled by this recognition,” Julie Phillips says, “because Eric and I both feel it has been a privilege to send our daughters to such a special school. They have benefited so much from the warmth as well as the great education that the teachers at Friedel provide. Our dedication to the school goes hand in hand with the school’s dedication to out children. We are a little sad that our youngest daughter, Eva, is graduating in May, but secure in the knowledge that she will leave the school with a strong and confident identity. In addition, she is academically and socially prepared for what comes next”.

The Friedel Gala will start off with a short cocktail party for underwriters and major donors at 5:30, after which, at 6 pm, the rest of the guests will arrive for dinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Awards will be presented to the honorees, followed by a concert with Jeff Taxman and friends. Nancy Mattly, owner of Culinary Services Catering, will cater the event. For additional information, please call Friedel secretary Mary Jane Tweedy at 334 0517.