Chabad’s Trick for Saying L’Chaim

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Michelle Fiorenzo

There is an old joke that says the reason Jewish people celebrate holidays is, “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.”

Comedian Avi Liberman says, Lubavitchers also celebrate any and every occasion – not limited to being saved from life threatening situations.

Sure, he says, the day the Previous Rebbe was released from Soviet prison is cause for celebration, but in Chabad circles, even when a tracking code was found for a UPS parcel is a cause for a L’Chaim.

Speaking at Chabad of Arizona’s 34th Anniversary Dinner, which took place February 13 at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale, the host didn’t hold back.

“Actually, Avi,” Head Shliach Rabbi Zalman Levertov quipped to the Los Angeles stand-up comedian, “Today, Adar 9, is when we celebrate the Frierdiker Rebbe’s arrival in America. So here’s a L’Chaim to that!”

Even while taking place on that auspicious day, the dinner was a cause for celebration, as the Grand Canyon State, home to 100,000 Jews, is witnessing a growing Chabad influence: 21 Shluchim families in 18 Chabad Houses.

In Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Flagstaff, Anthem, Chandler, Glendale, Fountain Hills, Mesa, Gilbert and recently Goodyear they serve communities with Hebrew schools, shuls, day camps, mikvaot and a growing variety of classes for all ages.

CONSERVATIVE BECOMES CHABAD

One of those inspired is Mrs. Caral Fread, a former editor at McGraw-Hill publishers and a champion of Jewish charities around the world.

“When I first came to Phoenix, I met people but didn’t feel at home,” she told dinner guests, “but then I met Chabad and they have been a light in my life.”

In good times and in bad, Chabad has been beside her, said Fread, a graduate of Conservative Judaism’s Jewish Theological Seminary.

Fread, a Chabad supporter for over 30 years, was the recipient of the Aishet Chayil Award.

She and her late husband Sidney received blessings from the Rebbe, as members of the Machne Yisrael Development Fund. A video of that meeting was shown at the dinner.

A SHIDDUCH ON SHABBOS

Another shining example of Chabad’s far reach is Neal and Shirli Borenstein, partner owners of Chompie’s Restaurants in Arizona.

The two first met at Rabbi and Tzipi Levertov‘s Shabbos table. Today they are married and have three children.

In the family’s business, Neal’s focus is primarily on managing the operation of Chompie’s Baking Company, a kosher baking manufacturer under the supervision of the OU for several years now.

Other honorees were Drs. Richard and Lola Rosengard.

G-D BLESS AMERICA (AND ISRAEL)

After reciting prayers for Israel and the United States by Yossi Rosengard and Joseph Berger, U.S. Congressman David Schweikert was invited to the podium.

The Republican representative acknowledged the handful of elected officials from both parties present and went on to discuss the turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, assuring Israel’s safety.

“We just got another briefing on Egypt and let me tell you, we are completely confused,” he admitted, adding, “We have to take it very seriously.”

“Whatever the outcome there, Jews in the western U.S. state say they are committed to adding more spiritual and positive light into the world,” Rabbi Levertov said in conclusion, thanking all for coming.