About a month ago, your Gala committee made a decision. With a constant barrage of negativity on the economy, high gas prices, doom in the housing market, and the sudden disappearance of gas lease windfalls, many would have understood, expected (and suggested), us to fold our tent, call it a day, and move on.
However, despite these obstacles, your Gala committee members made the decision last month not to participate in the recession. So, with the leadership and passion of our former congregant of the year, Jeff Rothschild, we marched forward with the “if you build it, they will come” steadfastness. We not only decided to continue our plans for the Gala, we made the (meshuganna) decision to add to it. . . to make it bigger, more fun, and create a Gala that anyone would enjoy.
For those of you who joined us (and you know who you are), for this incredible event, you told us you experienced a night to remember. Many of you, in the record-setting crowd, raved about the outstanding hors d’oeuvres provided by our Sisterhood, the delectable food and decadent (wow) desserts created by our own master chef, Chef Philippe Lecoq.
Some of you told us, that the live Jazz band put you in the mood to smile and sway. While others could not get over the choice of gaming tables, the fun dealers, and the prizes for your efforts. Still, there were the tried and true, silent and live auction hunters, who laughed while we “pressured” them publically to bid more (the gin and tonics didn’t hurt either).
Fellow congregants, just like the Gala committee members, you did not make this event about yourself. Each of you participated for the right reasons, to be with your Beth Shalom family and friends, to support our home in times of need, and to give back to the disadvantaged youth of our community by way of Camp Impact. On behalf of the Gala committee and the board of directors, thank you.
Lastly, with pride, respect, and gratitude, I want to recognize everyone who contributed to our remarkable event. Don’t forget to express your gratitude when you see them.
Thank you to all our major sponsors:
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Christine and Gene Posnock, Al Sankary, Arlene and Mark Schwartz, and Pam and Alan Weiner.
Thank you to all our individual sponsors:
Janet and Jerry Aaronson, Trish Holland and Bryon
Adinoff, Billye and Steve Burke, Barbara and
Larry Bushner, the Congregation Beth Shalom
Board, Debbie and Marty Goldsmith, Suzi and
Michael Kapin, Michael Kornitzky, Terri and Jim
Kravetz, Tamara and Stephen Lenhoff, Howard
Rosenstein, Jeff and Michele Rothschild, Sherwin
Rubin, Shirley and Elias Sassoon, Dolores and Barry
Schneider, Laurie and Scott Sherwin, Rabbi and
Mary Soltz, and Miriam and Jim Ward.
Special thanks to:
Pogos Wine and Spirits, and Rena and Howard
Frost for wine and liquor donations.
Thank you to all our Gala Committee members:
Jeff Rothschild, Scott Sherwin, Sheryl Robertson, Laura and Larry Fleischer, Aaron Perez, Adam Weiss, Mary Soltz, Janet Aaronson, Dolores Schneider, Larry Brunell, Al Fratina and ARFTY, Mort House, Andrea Snow, Lew Pincus, Michele Rothschild, Mick Lowenthal, Matt Burke, Rob Berg, Don Powers, David and Felice Silverberg, Sandy Wallace, Sandy Rieser, Lisa Rein, Sara Bloch Anderson, Mark and Danielle Snailer, David Markson, Thressa and Andrew Lobel, and Dawni Plaistow.
Congratulations to: Zach Markham for selling the most raffle tickets and to Howard and Jan Weiss for winning the raffle!
Thank you to all who contributed their time, energy, and auction items to make the 11th Annual Gala a success. The hearts of our community are alive and well.
– Scott Sherwin, Program Chair
and Part-Time Obnoxious Auction MC