Bigwigs at West Side Dinner

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Meir Pliskin

Chabad of the West Side in Manhattan showcased its full warmth and broad reach at its 19th Annual Gala Dinner at Guastavino’s, New York’s premier one-of-a-kind private event space.

Over 350 people enjoyed flavors of Mexican food June 14, as the theme of “How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel,” emphasized the growth of the community.

Among the participants were Chabad philanthropist David Slager and wife, Jewish music icon Yossi Green and David Remnik, editor of the prestigious New Yorker.

Participants were greeted by Rabbi Shlomo Kugel and wife Rivka, along with their colleagues Rabbi Yisroel Fried, Rabbi Meir Ossey, Rabbi Chayim Boruch Alevsky and wife Sarah.

One example of its success were one of the honorees – Australian-born Danny Eckstein, an executive for Royal Wine Corp (Kedem), and wife Naava who works for her family owned real estate business.

Upon entering Chabad of the West Side, they knew their search for a shul was over.

Despite the then-small space, it felt grand and more importantly, warm. Welcomed by the Shluchim, they knew they had found rabbis who cared.

When their daughter Victoria was born, they named her at the shul and quickly learned about the Chabad Early Learning Center which would become their daughter’s home away from home.

With their outgoing personalities, they have since hosted a weekly shiur in their home, Shabbos meals and spearheaded a program to provide meals to new mothers and their families.

Fellow honorees at the dinner – Elana and Sagi Genger and Sarah Abrahamson – shared the same sentiments, as they spoke movingly about their involvement with Chabad.

Another highlight of the evening was the Friendship Circle Musical Duo with Rabbi Alevsky playing guitar on stage with Friendship Circle member Tomer Mandelbaum on the drums.