LA Cheder Holds Gala Dinner

By COLlive staff
Photos: Los Angeles photographer Yossi Percia

On Monday, Shushan Purim, the 11th Annual Banquet of Cheder Menachem was held at Neman Hall in West Hollywood. The event featured a lavish buffet dinner catered by MGM Caterers and an exciting program for nearly 200 Trustee donors.

Rabbi Yehoshua Binyomin Gordon emceed the event. He inspired the guests by talking about his father who was one of the bochurim in the first group of talmidim of Tomchei Tmimim, and his mother who was at the pier when the Frierdiker Rebbe arrived to these shores to change the face of Chinuch and Yiddishkeit in America. Today, 73 years later, over 20 great-grandchildren ka”h study at Cheder Menachem.

The event opened with a video produced by a Cheder parent and the director of Chabad of Pasadena, Rabbi Chaim Hanoka. It highlighted the educational resources and extracurricular programs that provide students with the chayus, tools and skills for achievment and success.

A video was shown featuring the Cheder students and highlighting many of the innovative programs introduced into the Cheder over the past several years.

Rabbi Yisroel Hecht, Director of Development, welcomed all the guests and recited Tehillim. Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum, Menahel, focused on the Chinuch at Cheder Menachem and acknowledged the dedicated staff of Rebbeim, Moros and teachers. Rabbi Greenbaum also thanked the Board of Cheder Menachem: Nota Berger, Shmuel Fogelman, Yerachmiel Forer, Mendel Goldman, Yossi Lipsker, Yossi Mayberg, and Melech Weiss for their commitment and vision, as they face the challenge of securing the financial stability of the Cheder and maintaining its high standard of success.

The crowd enjoyed the musical entertainment of the sensational 8th Day and was treated to a surprise appearance by Mordechai ben David and Yeedle. The evening ended with the comedy of Mr. Mario Joyner.

The beautiful evening was organized and coordinated by Mrs. Ruchie Stillman.

Attendees received a complimentary copy of the 7th edition of Bracha V’Hatzlacha — 240 pages of students’ family stories with the Rebbe or the Frierdiker Rebbe. This annual Cheder publication is produced through the tireless efforts of Rabbi Leibel Cohen.