Girl Scouts Grace Chabad Dinner

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Meir Pliskin

Some 400 members and supporters of Chabad of the West Side of Manhattan gathered Wednesday in New York City for its 20th annual gala dinner.

With the Rebbe’s smile framed at the entrance, Jews from all ages and walks of life were warmly greeted by the Chabad Shluchim couples Rabbi Shlomo and Rivkah Kugel, Rabbi Meir and Sarah Ossey, Rabbi Yisroel and Esther Miriam Fried, and Rabbi Chayim and Sarah Alevsky.

Participants got to enjoy a Japanese themed dinner held at the elaborate ballroom of Espace, an ultra-chic hotspot in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood (with credit going to Mike Penn for his exquisite attention to detail).

It was ably chaired by Larry Malitzky.

The dinner’s theme of Lamplighters was introduced by Chabad’s very own Girl Scouts Troop 3131, who lit lanterns at each table as part of the Lamplighting Ceremony.

Run by Mrs. Alevsky and Keren Blum, Chabad hosts a Girl Scout program while bringing in the unique Chassidic flavor. Girls learn new skills and make new friends, and work on badges that reflect their values and interests.

The honorees Neil Berman, together with his wife, Roselyn, and Nicole Rothschild, together with her husband Leonard DiPietra, spoke movingly about their involvement with Chabad.

Distinguished Service Award was given to fellow Shluchim Rabbi Yisrael and Esther Miriam Fried.

VIDEO: Chabad West Side Dinner Presentation