Chamah Celebrates 60 Years

Chamah celebrated their 60th anniversary at their annual concert and dinner reception in December, which took place in the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan.

Hundreds of honorable guests, friends of Chamah, and benefactors attended the triumphant celebration, where they were greeted by floral arrangements and decorations elegantly prepared by Mimulo.

Chamah was established in 1952 as an underground organization with the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s encouragement and support, providing Jewish education and humanitarian aid to Jews in the Soviet Union.

Over the past 60 years, Chamah has grown into an international organization serving Russian Jewry in Israel, Russia, and the United States, with programs for children, elderly, and the needy.

Chamah New York is run under the leadership of Executive Officers Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman, President; Rabbi Moshiach Chudaitov, Executive Vice President; Rabbi Binyomin Malachovski, Executive Director & Treasurer; and Program Director Rabbi Benzion Laskin.

During the ceremony, Chamah’s executive staff presented unique and life-saving programs that Chamah undertakes internationally, such as Chamah’s Jewish Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Moscow, which they are working to furnish and equip. Also discussed was the National Russian Jewish Shabbaton, which will take place this year in Stamford, Connecticut on Presidents’ Weekend, February 15-17, 2013.

The guests were then treated to a special video presentation, created by Moshe Raskin, highlighting the incredible work of Chamah for the past 60 years.

The guest of honor was Chamah Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Sanford Bruckner, a devoted supporter of Chamah for three decades. Mr. Alec Teytel received the 2012 Russian Jewish Leadership Award and Mr. Boris Kaplan was honored as a special guest from Moscow. Dedicated friends of Chamah, Peter and Galina Stiler, served as Dinner Co-chairs.

One of the highlights of the evening was a wonderful Jewish Jazz concert originally composed and performed by internationally-acclaimed, award-winning Israeli composer Mrs. Zlata Razdolina, accompanied by an orchestra of world-famous musicians. The presentation was enjoyed by all in attendance.