Annual Dinner at TJC Honors Benvenisti, who Honors EMTs

Hundreds of people gathered at the Teaneck Jewish Center recently for a fun fundraiser for the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, which has served the community with distinction for 70 years. For the first time, the organization featured a guest of honor, Steven Benvenisti, a lawyer whose life was saved by EMTs after he was hit by a drunk driver many years ago. Thanks to them, he was able to overcome huge obstacles and a terrible prognosis.  When he received his award, he said the EMTS were the people who earned it with their hard work and life-saving abilities.  The theme for the night was Saturday Night Fever, and featured a cake styled after John Travolta dancing at Odyssey 2001 and decorated by L’via Weisinger of Teaneck. John Travolta Look-alike Phil Francavilla got the party started, and everywhere in the room, people were dancing, tapping their feet or singing along.

Many township dignitaries, rabbis and doctors attended…some in costumes that reflected the 70s—from rock ‘n rollers, hippies and disco divas. Among the guests were Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, Deputy Mayor Adam Gussen, Fire Chief Anthony Verley, Rabbi Lawrence Zierler of the Teaneck Jewish Community Center,  Rabbi and Mrs. Zacharia Senter of the Kof-K and their families,  Drs. Richard Tancer and Margaret Karasick, and Teaneck residents from every walk of life. TVAC Kevie Feit expressed his thanks to the EMTs and the community for all they do to support the Corps. The raffle prizes were absolutely amazing, and ranged from video games to gold jewelry and furs. The evening’s event was coordinated by Angela Wilkerson, president of TVAC and everyone had a wonderful time supporting this very serious and life-saving organization.