Stamford’s Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut will host its 68th annual dinner, themed “We Stand With Israel: Now and Forever,” on Sunday, March 3
at 5:30 p.m..
For this year’s event, BCHA is setting its customary honoree structure aside and dedicating an evening to honoring the profound love and commitment the student body and alumni have for the land of Israel.
“This year’s dinner theme is intended to showcase the principle that Jewish education in general, and BCHA in particular, are the best means of securing Jewish continuity and protecting the security of Israel now and in the future,” said Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, head of school. “Our alumni serve in the IDF, make aliyah, stand up for Israel on their college campuses and in the communities where they choose to reside. Our current students volunteer to pack and send supplies to Israel, write cards to soldiers, create Stars of Hope for evacuee children, raise and give tzedakah to help Israel in its time of need. All of these activities warrant commemoration during these difficult post-Oct. 7 days.”
A special community service award will be presented to BCHA security officers Stu Joseph and Sean Swift, who guard and protect BCHA’s students, faculty and staff each and every school day. Officers Joseph and Swift exemplify an unparalleled commitment to their noble work. Whether responding to emergencies, managing conflicts, or ensuring the school’s safety protocols are in place and being adhered to, their courage is a shining example that the officers are two of the best in the business.
An additional feature of this year’s dinner is that BCHA has secured a very special donor who understands the connection between Jewish education and Israel’s future, who will match every dollar contributed to this year’s BCHA dinner journal with an equal gift to Israel to benefit those actively engaged in its protection and those most directly affected by the events of Oc. 7 and its aftermath. This extraordinary opportunity applies to the first $1,000,000 raised.
“This amazing feature of the dinner event itself reflects the theme of our evening,” said Rabbi Bernstein. “Donating to BCHA’s most important fundraiser of the year results in an equal sum being sent to Israel.”
BCHA thanks dinner chair Stephanie Becker; journal co-chairs Rachel and Dan Haron and Vered and Mark Links; and student co-chairs Sarah Berk and Izzy Kanefsky.
For more information, to RSVP and to donate to the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy dinner journal, visit celebration.bcha-ct.org.
