Benefactors Introduced by Song

By COLlive reporter
Photos by CS Photography

Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh Annual PTA Melava Malka honoring Elliot and Donna Katz attracted over 300 friends, family, and supporters.

The delicious 4-course meal, the creatively themed centerpieces, and the set-up and clearing teams were all spearheaded by a large group of dedicated parents.

Dr. Pinchas Herman, Master of Ceremonies, opened the evening in rhyme. He praised the Katz’s long term involvement and devotion to Yeshiva Schools.

Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, Dean of Yeshiva Schools and Head Shliach of Chabad of Western Pennsylvania commented on Parshas Vayechi’s lesson of the centrality of Chinuch in Jewish life and how the entire Katz family personifies this.

The Katz’s children, Jill Sharfman, Jordana Bernhard, Danielle Forer, and Rabbi Yoni Katz, each spoke eloquently and in glowing terms of their parents’ dedication to Chinuch, to Yeshiva, and how all of the children were involved in the process.

Shlomo Jacobs, President of Yeshiva Schools, thanked the Katzes for being living examples of family-wide volunteering. He also thanked all the parents for creating such an elegant Melava Malka.

Additionally, Mr. Jacobs thanked the volunteers and all the parents who work throughout the year to chaperone class trips, coordinate Yud Tes Kislev and Chanukah Programs, drive Mivtzoim routes, arrange Mother-Daughter/Father Son Brunches, Shabbatons and events.

The time and talent that the parents gave made this evening very special, one of the organizers noted.

Upon entering the lobby, attendees were greeted with brightly colored boards and easels with the photos of the current 400 Yeshiva Students assembled in class pictures, from Kinderland through Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools. These were put together by photographer Chani Shusterman (CS Photography) and Mindy Schiffrin, Business Manager of Yeshiva Schools.

The original song with relevance to the K-A-T-Z name was performed by Dr. Yaakov Guterson, Leibel Cohen, and Rabbi Yehoshua Hoexter. This was accompanied by the audience’s laughter and clapping to the beat.

A deep and moving tribute and presentation was given by Rebbetzin Blumi Rosenfeld, emphasizing the concept of how we strengthen each other through “Chazak, Chazak, V’Nischazek.”

Mr. and Mrs. Katz accepted the honor and presented a storyline/timeline of the Pittsburgh history from the 1970’s, when they arrived, through today. They created an elaborate slideshow that included meeting and getting to know the Posners, the Derens, and the Rosenfelds – 3 generations of Shluchim.

The well attended evening bought out feelings of celebration, teamwork, Achdus, and warmth, in tribute to Donna and Elliot Katz.