“As we in California are finally starting to come out of the lockdowns with the gradual lifting of restrictions, we will be giving this strange chapter of our lives a fitting sendoff with an all-out online celebration of music and inspiration.”
With these words, Rabbi Moshe Bryski, Executive Director of Chabad of the Conejo, extended an open invitation to the worldwide Chabad community to tune-in to the organization’s 2021 gala – a virtual event that will stream on Wednesday, June 9th, beginning at 7 pm (Pacific Time) via www.Chabadgala.com.
While Chabad of the Conejo’s galas have been known over the years for their first class staging and entertainment – filling prominent concert venues and banquet halls in the local region – this will be the first time the experience will be accessible to audiences beyond those residing on the west coast.
Featuring an eclectic lineup of renowned singers and presenters, the theme of the evening will be “Yesh Tikvah – The Power of Hope.”
In addition to utilizing music and video to put the challenges of the year gone by into inspiring perspective, the program will suggest healthy mindsets and attitudes with which to greet the dawning of a post-covid world.
“While we’ve each had our own ways of dealing with the challenges of recent times,” Rabbi Bryski went on to say, “as Jews and as Chassidim, we’ve all been anchored all along by an inner sense of hope and faith that, sooner or later, the dark clouds would clear and radiant silver linings would appear.
“Rather than relegate that ‘Power of Hope’ to a period we’d sooner forget about, our goal is to leverage that power into an ongoing force in our lives – to strengthen the ties that bind us to Yiddishkeit, to Eretz Yisroel and to one another.”
Among the entertainers to be appear on screen during the June 9th celebration will be the Chief Cantor of the IDF – Lieutenant Colonel Shai Abramson, 8th Day, Dudu Fisher, Benny Friedman, Jimmy Gamliel, the Kol Esperanza trio, and Cantor Yanky Lemmer. A special appearance will also made by folk music legend, Tony Orlando, who has been an ardent and outspoken friend of Israel.
Short speaking appearances will be made by a host of notable dignitaries – among them: Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Joseph Telushkin, and the Rabbis and Rebbetzins of Chabad of the Conejo.
A compelling narrative to be portrayed on screen will show how the accomplishments of Chabad in the Conejo Valley over the past four decades is but a microcosm of what the Chabad-Lubavitch movement has achieved on a global scale through the leadership and inspiration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. One segment will focus on the Rebbe’s unique ability to motivate and mobilize his followers to spread forth around the world, thereby sparking an amazing Jewish renaissance post Holocaust – the ultimate testament to “The Power of Hope.”
“Virtual Gala 2021 will be a multifaceted celebration,” said Rabbi Bryski. “A celebration of the blessings of hope and faith, health and healing, family and friends. A celebration of the rewards of teaching and learning. A celebration of celebration of unity and community. Indeed, a celebration of Jewish life itself!”
Virtual Gala 2021 – “The Power of Hope” – will be broadcast on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, beginning at 7 pm (PT), via the www.chabadgala.com
