By COLlive reporter
More than 1,500 friends and supporters of Colel Chabad from around the world gathered for the organization’s international awards dinner. This year’s event, held online due to the limitations imposed by the pandemic, celebrated 232 years of serving the people in the land of Israel.
Colel Chabad was founded in 1788 by the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, as a way to support the then tiny Jewish community in the holy land. The charitable organization has become the longest continuously-running social services network in the country. With a wide variety of support, social and cultural programs for people in need, Colel Chabad helps hundreds of thousands of people each and every day.
“The past months have challenged us in ways that no one could have ever imagined but there is still tremendous enthusiasm from our event hosts and donors to be involved so we are so encouraged to have people from all walks of life coming and supporting us,” said Colel Chabad’s International Director Rabbi Sholom Duchman.
Donors and guests shared their awe at the breadth of services and wide reach of the organization which was detailed in a “shareholders report” by Rabbi Duchman during the online dinner which was timed to mark the yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe.
Kenny Dichter, CEO of private jet charter company Wheels Up and a longtime supporter of the organization, called upon viewers to become members in the holy work of Colel Chabad and sign on to give a monthly donation to the cause.
“We make a living by what we earn, but we make a life with what we give away,” said Kevin Cummings, CEO and Chairman of Investor Bank and one of the evening’s hosts.
Virtual guests received gift boxes filled with wine, fruit and nuts and included a specially engraved challah board made by the residents of Beit Finger, the residential home in Jerusalem for those living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions.
Among the evening’s presenters was Yael Eckstein of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), who works together with Colel Chabad on many programs around Israel.
Eckstein explained the unique relationship saying, ”Colel Chabad is so creative in getting people the help that they need and in such an effective way. That’s why the IFCJ has partnered for so many years with Colel Chabad. I’ve seen all across Israel how Colel Chabad is there – at the soup kitchens, delivering food to the homebound – no matter what type of person or background they may come from.”
During the height of the pandemic, the Government of Israel enlisted Colel Chabad to implement the single largest direct distribution effort in Israel’s history. The relevant agencies even decided to double their annual allocation, an incredible feat considering the lack of a stable government or budget. Colel Chabad was awarded the government contract to implement the additional support allowing them to quickly and efficiently help thousands of more people in 2020.
In addition to the financial and food support, Colel Chabad volunteers and employees went above and beyond to help address the loneliness and solitude of the elderly. “We don’t only work to bring food and supplies to the door,” said Mrs. Esther Deutsch, founder of the Kol Chessed project which calls the elderly and infirm recipients of hot meals. “We do our best to get to know the people behind the door.”
The entertainment portion selected for the evening was also a tribute to the unique times we live in. Broadway stars Steven Skybell and Bruce Sabath from the Yiddish staging of Fiddler on the Roof performed a musical presentation directed by renowned arranger and conductor Zalmen Mlotek.
“Fiddler on the Roof is in large part a metaphor for how we never know what fate lies ahead of us,” organizers said. “Throughout our history, we have always lived with instability and uncertainty but our faith and belief in helping others have helped sustain us and in the end, we would emerge to better and stronger times. Certainly, that is a theme that our world needs today more than ever.”
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