The Lubavitch on the Palisades 20th Annual Gala Dinner and Chinese Auction was held on Sunday, January 10, celebrating “Hakhel—Assemble the men, the women and the children.” Lubavitch honored three very worthy couples—Alon and Iris Avni, Dennis and Ilena Kalter, and Uri and Sharon Shichor.
In an incredible show of support and appreciation, the event drew over 300 guests who enjoyed an evening of fun, food and a lively Chinese auction with an array of great prizes from patio sets to Huffy bikes, iPad Pros to Plasma TVs, and sporting events to fabulous gift certificates that were all generously donated for this event. The atmosphere was festive and the spirit of giving and unity was overwhelming.
This year’s dinner brought with it a special surprise. A personalized envelope containing a dollar and a pledge card was given to each attendee. The dollar was a gift to pass on to someone else in need or to use towards a good cause, and the pledge card was a mitzvah pledge card. From a list of mitzvot, including lighting Shabbat and holiday candles, adding in prayer, enhancing one’s kosher observance, supporting a Jewish child’s education, attending a Torah class and lending a hand to someone in need, each participant was able to pledge a mitzvah that they would like to take on and progress in.
“Seeing over 300 people celebrating together and seriously committing to take on a mitzvah was incredible,” said Rabbi Mordechai Shain, executive director of Lubavitch on the Palisades. “The mitzvot people took on blew my mind. May the merit of these mitzvot bring about only revealed peace and blessings for our nation, and safety for our brothers in Israel and all over the world.”
Lubavitch on the Palisades would like to thank all the generous donors of prizes for the Chinese auction, all the guests who contributed with their presence and generosity, and the volunteers who helped organize this event.
For more information on all the programs and events Lubavitch on the Palisades has to offer, please visit our website at www.chabadlubavitch.org or contact us at (201)871-1152.
