Photos: Perry Bindelglass
Seven years ago Anshe Sholom Kew Gardens Jewish Center was taken over by Chabad in Queens.
This year Anshe Sholom Chabad JCC celebrated 7 years – a full Shmitah cycle – of success and growth, at its most recent Annual Gala Dinner in Queens.
The event took place at the magnificent, brand new Oligarch Ballroom in New York.
The event included a Siyum Sefer Torah, of a newly restored Torah – conducted by Rabbi Bannon of Oraita, to add to the series of Torahs at the shul, sponsored by community members and the Chulpayev Family. Mezzuzahs were affixed in the ballroom as a form of Chanukas Habayis for the new ballroom as well.
Honorees included Mr. and Mrs. Chulpayev and family, (ballroom partner) Mrs. Sandra Kohl, Chabad Forest Hills North, Mr. and Mrs. Zev Tafel, Mr. and Mrs. Berenthal, Chabad Forest Hills North, who are active friends and supporters of Chabad work in Central Queens.
Rabbi Sholom B. Hecht, Senior Shliach to Queens, who first arrived here 41 years ago by the guidance and blessings of the Rebbe, addressed the crowd and reflected on the great accomplishments and growth the community.
Rabbi Mordechai Z. Hecht, Rabbi of Anshe Sholom and Shliach of Chabad Forest Hills – led the dinner awards ceremony and spoke of the unique inclusiveness of Chabad and why every Jew, of all walks of life is vital in a community center, and to bring Moshiach now.
Rabbi Mendy and Chaya Hecht, the newest additions to the team of Shluchim in Queens serving Forest Hills North, spoke of the new programming in their stretch of the neighborhood and their vital work with young Jewish professionals and teens.
The event was honored by local Rabbonim and community activists. The crowd was full, the people were supportive, the aura was outstanding – all in all it was a splendid event.
The event was accompanied by a lavish dinner and dancing with the Torah, all in the spirit of Purim and Chodesh Adar.
An auction of some awesome prizes enhanced the event with a touch of fun and excitement, especially for the lucky winners. A beautiful dinner journal-Song book was given to each attendee and enjoyed by all as well.
A posthumous honor was named after the late Mr. Leonard Spolan O”BM, long time sponsor of the Spolan Chabad Hebrew School, and a new recruit to the team of devoted educators and development of Anshe Sholom Chabad was announced – Rabbi Mendel Kapular – who will further adult education at Anshe Sholom and assist in reaching out to the thousands of families in our neighborhood.
You bring life to Forest Hills! Thank you for all your hard work in bringing Jews closer to yiddishkeit!
Keep it Up!
Asher
Beautiful event! Mendy and CM – you look like true royals!! Keep up your great work!
Keep up the great work!
The Heacht Family has done so much for Judaism in america in the last 50 years, I would like to compile a book,
Thank you so Much Reb Modche
May you succeed and continue your great work –
Thanks to Rabbi Sholem Ber Hecht, Rabbi Mordechai Hecht,
and Rabbi Mendy Hecht and families!
We love you!!!
Moshiach now, how beautiful