West Hills Holds Gala Dinner

Photos: Los Angeles Photographer Yossi Perica

Over 200 friends and supporters of Chabad of the West Hills in Los Angeles, California, gathered at the Warner Center Marriott for an uplifting evening of inspiration.

The gala dinner celebrated 7 years since the opening of Chabad of West Hills, directed Shluchim Rabbi Avi and Dena Rabin.

The program began with guests mingling over a buffet. Opening remarks were then said by Mr. Brett Saevitzon. Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon, Executive Director of Chabad of the Valley, gave the opening Dvar Torah and spoke about the Rebbe’s vision to inspire and help every Jew and every person we come in contact with.

A heartfelt speech was then given by Mr. Joseph Rabin, during which he presented Chabad of West Hills with a dollar from the Rebbe that he had received 33 years ago.

After a delicious meal, the entertainment began with a live auction. There were many great prizes up for auction such as a Corum watch, a week’s stay in a Villa in Punta Mita, Mexico, a sports package of 4 tickets to the Dallas Cowboys and on field passes, opening of the Ark for Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur, a trip with the Rabbi to New York to visit the Rebbe’s Ohel and a VIP tour of Crown Heights and 770 Eastern Parkway, to name but a few.

Following the auction Rabbi Rabin addressed the theme of igniting the spark found within every person and the Rebbe’s vision for a world filled with Torah, Mitzvos, goodness and kindness.

The evening’s honorees, Mr. and Mrs. Greg and Ethne Silberg, were then presented with their award, a magnificent original mosaic framed Menorah by famed Chassidic artist Michoel Muchnik.

Mr. Silberg spoke about what a deep impact Chabad has made on his life and then spoke about the international impact Chabad has had on the world at large. Then Mrs. Michelle Gold (the daughter of the honorees) spoke and thanked her parents for their support of Chabad and for being such wonderful, kind and caring people and role models for all who know them.

A powerful and inspiring video about the growth of Chabad of West Hills over the last 7 years was shown and then the gathered were encouraged to participate in an appeal called raise the paddle, in which everyone was asked to contribute to the continuation and growth of Yiddishkeit in West Hills.

Comedian Sunda Croonquist kept the crowd entertained with her wit and stories. The evening concluded with the raffles being drawn. Some of the raffle items were 2 tickets to Israel and a week’s stay at a hotel in Jerusalem, A flat screen TV, lap-top, Ipad mini, Shabbat catering for 10 and many other wonderful prizes.

The memorable and powerful event left participants feeling inspired and invigorated to continue the growth of Yiddsihkeit in West Hills.