By COLlive reporter
Photos by Ruvi Leider
If you build it, they will come.
The Lamplighters Yeshivah school community of parents, educators, supporters and lay-leaders came together on Thursday, June 11 – 24 Sivan 5775, to celebrate their third annual fundraiser dinner, DIRAH.
The gala recognized their yeshivah, students, and the “builders” who give their time, money and guidance to create a strong foundation for their school and community. It also marked the launch of Lamplighters’ capital campaign, a move to purchase a permanent home for the Yeshivah to accommodate its tremendous growth.
The beautiful event, with over 220 participants, was held at the Metropolitan Building in Long Island City. Guests were welcomed to the vibrant space, designed by party planners Mimulo, with lavish appetizers and signature drinks. Original photographs by acclaimed artist Federica Valabrega, “Lamplighters: A Living Space”, were on display and later in the evening, auctioned to raise necessary funds for the school.
In celebration of DIRAH, Lamplighters students and staff decorated a tile with a Mitzvah they could do to build the Beis HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. The result: a colorful tapestry of actions connecting us to Hashem. These tiles are Bricks of Light. The beautiful collection of over 100 tiles were on display at the dinner, with participants donating $36 to dedicate a Brick of Light.
The wall of Mitzvos will be showcased in their school’s building, their mikdash me’at, where they work to reveal the G-dliness- in themselves and their students- every single day.
The dinner reception, with inventive menu by Chef Yuda Schlass, began with a stirring video of the Rebbe, courtesy of Jewish Educational Media, encouraging community members and lay-leaders to actively support campaigns to build bigger buildings and expand programming. Then, Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, foremost thought-leader, teacher and curriculum-designer in Jewish Montessori, captivated the audience with his words on “Building our Children.”
Rabbi Rietti’s words was followed by the viewing of a soul-stirring film, “How We Build Our Home.” Of course, it’s not about the walls, the bricks or the mortar. It’s about what happens inside Lamplighters that makes it a living space.
Following the video, Mrs. Yocheved Sidof, Lamplighters Yeshivah’s Executive Director, took the podium.
“The Chassidic masters teach that H-shem wanted a home specifically in the most lowly realms. Through doing His commandments and learning His Torah, we reveal His essence in this most physical world- and create for Him a home.
Lamplighters Yeshivah is also a world. And here, we are committed to unearth the essence, the light, within each part of this world. Through dedication, commitment and ‘toiling’, we have created a home for our school family.
Over the past six years since Lamplighters’ inception, our school, this world, has grown from 12 students to 115; from a staff of 4 to close to 30. Our physical space no longer suits the needs of our growing home. It’s time to build a new one.
Tonight, we celebrate the launch of our capital campaign. More than a call to raise the necessary funds to purchase a permanent building for our expanding school, we are reaffirming our commitment to our mission– to transform the landscape of Jewish education as we unearth the inner essence of every Jewish child.
This can only happen if we work together, each one of us, adding our own Bricks of Light and giving to this vital cause. Your support and donations are the physical bricks that will build the home, our DIRAH, for our teachers, families, supporters and, most importantly, our children who make up the world of Lamplighters Yeshivah.
It’s time to expand our vessel– It’s time to create more light.”
Then, 15 pictures Lamplighters students by world-renowned photographer Federica Valabrega, corresponding to the 15 Principles of Wholeness by architect Christopher Alexander, were auctioned off, raising thousands for the school.
Long-time Lamplighters’ advocate, financial supporter and last year’s recipient of the Luminary Award, Mr. Eli Nash, spoke with confidence and strength about the importance of supporting Lamplighters’ unique mission and getting actively involved. He also spoke with passion about the need for a secure home, a permanent building for Lamplighters.
Lamplighters Yeshivah was originally founded as a grassroots effort of families and community members. In the five and a half years since, countless individuals have been crucial to its success, but their roles are often largely unknown to those outside the immediate circle of the school’s leadership.
The Lamplighters Hidden Spark Award — the recipient of which is a surprise prior to its presentation, even to the honoree him or herself — is inspired by these unsung heroes.
This year, Lamplighters recognized two parents as their Hidden Sparks, Mrs. Shaindel Siev and Rabbi Shmary Baumgarten. Shaindel has been an active member of Lamplighters for three years, as an administrative assistant, teacher and parent. She is a person with so much passion and excitement for the school, always saying “yes” to everything from volunteering at the school to sharing her talents to spearheading events.
Baumgarten is active in supporting the school’s initiative to secure a permanent building, scouring leads, attending meetings, and offering valuable counsel and guidance. Both awardees received beautiful gifts from acclaimed artist, Michoel Muchnik.
Lamplighters’ Heads of School Reb Moshe and Morah Rivkah Schack shared words, “The language the Torah uses during its explanation of the building of the Mishkan—which is of course H-shem’s ultimate paradigm of a home in this world– is “shechanti b’socham,” I will dwell in them, not I will dwell in it (the Mishkan). We may also be builders, preparing a vessel and filling it with living action. For just as with a physical building, such as a classroom or school, we can each be a Mishkan when we set aside our talents and abilities for G-dliness. ”
The inspiring evening concluded with a demonstrative lesson by Lamplighters Rebbes and students on the Oneness of Hashem and the Home we build together with Him, in this world.
To learn more about Lamplighters Yeshivah, its educational philosophy and community, visit them online at LamplightersYeshivah.com.
To learn more about their summer training for assistant teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists in Jewish Montessori please contact [email protected] or call 718-355-9138.
Mazal Tov Yocheved on your success! I am amazed xoxo Elisheva
Hatzloche Rabbah! BH! Keep up the positivity! Glad to hear about children being the Priority!!