(Courtesy of Congregation Keter Torah) Congregation Keter Torah is excited to present its 19th annual dinner on Monday evening, June 24, at 6:30. This past year has been one of continued growth, with over 40 new families joining as full members since last year’s dinner, and an additional 20 families joining as affiliate members. In addition to expanded youth programming under the direction of Rivki Rosenthal and her youth staff, the shul has started a new minyan under the guidance of Rabbi Simcha Willig. There has also been significant growth in Torah learning, with more than 150 individuals participating in new weekly WhatsApp learning opportunities, introduced this year by Rabbi Shalom Baum. This year’s honorees are all dedicated members of Keter Torah, with a deep appreciation for the history of the shul and its future. For the first time, the shul is introducing a new young leadership award, named for Bruce Weinrib, z”l.
President Binyamin Rieder is excited to announce that this year’s guests of honor are Andrea and Larry Portal. Andrea and Larry have been active members of Keter Torah for the past 12 years. Larry has been a regular attendee of our Daf Yomi chabura. The Daf Yomi is led by volunteers, and continues to attract new participants. Larry regularly gives the shiur, and is privileged to be the son of Rav Avraham Portal, z”l, the author of “Chazoras Hashas.” He is the quintessential “utility man,” always able to pitch in when there is a need for a baal koreh, maggid shiur or financial advice. Andrea has been involved in several ATARA programs, and does great work for the Jewish community through her outreach with JWRP. She comes from a family that is active in the Jewish community of Baltimore. The Portals are supporters of many of the fundraising initiatives at the shul.
Every year the shul presents the Esther and William B. Manischewitz Award to a family dedicated to the shul and to the broader community. Esther and William Manischewitz were among the founders of the Teaneck Jewish community. This year, the honor is being given to Deena and Michael Seelenfreund.
Deena was involved in the formation of our shul’s CSS several years ago, and she has since put her efforts into ensuring the safety and security of our membership. She has become not just the head of CSS for our shul, but the liaison for the entire community. In addition, she was a Berrie Fellow at the Northern New Jersey Federation. Michael has been the long-time organizer of our Simchat Torah Tallit, which celebrates our children. He treats this, and all projects with which he is involved, with passion and excitement. Deena and Michael love Keter Torah, and the shul appreciates their ongoing devotion to our kehillah.
When Keter Torah was in its earlier stages of growth, Bruce Weinrib, z”l, made it a priority for our shul to be a welcoming and friendly environment, in which everyone, no matter what age, would feel welcome. Bruce worked closely with Rabbi Baum and the shul leadership to develop new avenues for growth, including a new minyan that was in formation at the time of his passing. As a tribute to Bruce, and to his legacy, we are introducing the Bruce Weinrib, z”l, Memorial Young Leadership Award. In addition, many shul members, including Alisa Weinrib and her family, were involved in a campaign to dedicate more than 500 new RCA siddurim in memory of Bruce. These siddurim, with an introduction written by Rabbi Baum, will be put into use soon after the dinner.
We are proud to announce that Amanda & Avi Hoffman are the recipients of the inaugural Bruce Weinrib, z”l, Young Leadership Award. Amanda grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, in which she learned from her family about service to the community. Avi grew up in Teaneck and is following his parents’ lead in getting involved in shul life. The Hoffmans have worked with Rabbi Baum, Rabbi Willig and the lay leadership to foster a tone of enthusiasm and responsibility among the younger members of our Kehillah.
The dinner is being chaired by Howie Blumenfeld. To register, visit www.ketertorah.org.
