Center for the Arts Opens at Chabad Markham

By COLlive reporter

A brand new state of the art children’s library in memory of the late Dustin Kazman was opened with great fanfare and excitement in Thornhill, Ontario, on Sunday, September 8.

This one of a kind library will be open to all children across the GTA with innovative reading, crafts and musical activities.

The library was opened a moving ribbon-cutting ceremony for a select group of family and friends of the Kazman family led by Shliach Rabbi Avraham Plotkin and Dr. Steven Kazman, father of Dustin.

After the ribbon was cut the crowd entered and were treated to the first public viewing of the library. The sounds of “Oohs and Aahs” were overheard in the room as the crowd was ‘wowed’ by the spectacular colors and the brilliant décor by nationally acclaimed interior designer Karen Birer.

As soon as the children walked in, they were drawn in to the library with some magnetic power. Some of them dived straight into the soft embrace of the colorful bean bags prepared for the reading and music circle time while others jumped into the inviting and colorful tables and chairs in the creative arts center. Others were attracted by the multimedia center featuring a karaoke machine where the kids were able to express their creative musical juices.

A plaque and picture perpetuating the memory of Dustin Kazman, a special needs young adult who passed away last year was unveiled with great drama and emotion. Dustin’s father Dr. Kazman together with Dustin’s his brother Dr. Efrem Kazman revealed the touching memorial.

A demonstration of the music and karaoke center was followed by a lavish breakfast.

The library was then officially opened to the public at 12:30 pm at the children’s Holiday Fair at Chabad. In conjunction with the fair the library had a book reading with librarian Lisse Gerofsky. A unique holiday arts and crafts project and a musical program with Rabbi B.

The Dustin Kazman Children’s library will be hosting Baby Café on Friday mornings for Moms and young children. Birthday parties and afterschool activities will be part of the Scheduled events. These extra-curricular events will be led by the Youth and Young Family Coordinator, Mattie Schurder.

For more info, visit Chabadmarkham.org