Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, delivered the keynote address at Chabad of the Valley’s Banquet Gala.
Rabbi Hier paid tribute to Chabad and the Lubavitcher Rebbe‘s remarkable accomplishments sending lamplighters across the globe. Rabbi Hier highlighted the impact that Chabad had made on rekindling the Jewish soul of countless people.
The gala showcased a special performance by multi-national pop-opera group Kol Esperanza on their West Coast tour as part of a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Jerusalem and the miracle of the Six-Day War.
Associate Director of Chabad of the Valley, Rabbi Mordechai Einbinder gave the opening remarks and welcomed the participants.
He reflected on the fact that the very essence of the evening and everything it represented was an homage to the beloved founding Shliach and visionary, Rabbi his opening address Joshua B. Gordon, of blessed memory.
“As I look around the majesty of this room tonight, I see him and I actually feel his presence,” he stated.
In a spontaneous and powerful moment, almost 400 people in the room rose from their seats and a poignant standing ovation followed.
In another segment of the night, Shlucha Chana Herzog thanked Shlucha Deborah Gordon for her continued dedication and devotion.
Following this, she presented a special gift to Holocaust survivor and philanthropist Sol Teichman, describing Sol and his wife Ruth as “true legends and heroes in our times” and thanking them for their friendship, kindness and inspiration.
The evening went on to underscore the great miracles that took place in 1967 and the wide implications it had for world Jewry. Participants also paid tribute to three members of the community who were veterans of the Six-Day war and acknowledged the many others in the room who had also served in the IDF.
The event was produced under the direction of Jonathan Herzog, Rabbi Mayer Greene and Rabbi Yochanan Baitelman.
Very nice