Evening of Appreciation in CT

The feeling of appreciation and support for Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut was palpable as an overwhelming crowd gathered to pay tribute to Chabad, Rabbi Yosef and Mina Eisenbach and the honorees at its recent 19th anniversary Awards Dinner.

Chabad celebrated by honoring some of its staunch supporters during these years and taking a whimsical look at the differences between then and now.

Hundreds celebrated Chabad’s accomplishments at the gala event, which attracted people from all walks of life, including Chabad’s core supporters and friends.

Emcee for the evening was Rechyl Eisenbach, director of the Litchfield and Waterbury Hebrew Schools. Rechyl opened the evening thanking the Rebbe, her parents and all supporters of Chabad. She then introduced Rabbi Ahron Kaufman, Rosh Yeshiva of Waterbury, CT, who is known worldwide for his pioneering the development of the Waterbury community and his special trait of Ahavas Yisroel.

Rechyl explained the challenges Shluchim have with Jewish education for their children and that when it was time for her to begin preschool, as if a gift from heaven Rabbi Kaufman opened the Yeshiva of Waterbury and simultaneously the Yeshiva Ketana. Rechyl was one of five students of the founding class, and today the elementary school boasts a student body of close to 500.

Rabbi Kaufman shared his warm sentiments for Chabad and inspired all to continue their partnership for this worthy cause.

Israel’s Ambassador of music, Sandy Shmuely, livened the evening with musical entertainment, followed by Broadway’s mentalist Marc Salem. “The electricity in the air was palpable,” said an ecstatic Syd Gross. “Northwest Connecticut has never seen anything like it before.”

Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach was delighted to introduce the crowd to the well-deserved honorees: Bill Calderara, President and CEO of Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan, central CT’s largest bank. Mr. Calderara accepted the Community Service Award for his bank’s support of Chabad Lubav­itch and his caring and sensitivity to every segment of the Northwest Connecticut community.

Mr. Dave Green, president of Phoenix Soil, New England’s premier environmental company, was presented with the Champion of the Children Award in recognition of his dedication to Chabad’s children’s programs.

Michelle Yacovelli, who had her kids enrolled in Chabad Hebrew School and Camp Gan Israel for over a decade, was honored as Parent of The Year, in honor of her tireless dedication to her children and her commitment to their Jewish growth.

Esther Shamel was presented with the Partner in Torah Award for dedicating 5 years learning Torah weekly over the phone with a senior in a small distant town in Northwest Connecticut.

Each honoree spoke briefly and each of them noted what an impact Chabad has made on their spiritual and familial lives. The evening began with an elaborate cocktail reception, followed by an elegant dinner and silent auction.

Northwest Connecticut has scores of organizations, yet Chabad stands out among the rest, constantly offering ongoing communal events and programs for all ages. Chabad’s Celebration 19 Dinner made a strong impression on all who attended. In the words of Dr. Josh Barzilay, “This dinner was truly the celebration of a lifetime! May G-d grant Chabad the funds to continue their vital work… Northwest Connecticut definitely would not be the same without them!”

Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach, who along with his wife Mina, serves as the director of Chabad of Northwest Connecticut, thanked everyone for participating in the dinner and for their unwavering support over the years.

To view more photos and a video of the dinner, please log on to www.chabadnw.org