In the midst of Chanukah celebrations, where the Chinuch of our children is at the forefront of our minds, Chabad Ohr Avner celebrated their 11th Gala Dinner.
Hundreds of community members, governors, supporters, guests and friends, as well as parents and teachers, gathered to express their appreciation for the educational empire of Chabad Ohr Avner. Inspired by the Rebbe’s vision, Chabad Ohr Avner provides quality Jewish education for children from the early age of preschool, through the formative years of highschool. Its four central Mosdos are the Jewish haven for thousands of boys and girls who travel from all over Greater New York to attend Chabad Ohr Avner’s various institutions. From the Kindergarten and elementary school Jewish Institute of Queens, their boys high school, “Ohr Chana” the high school for girls, to their summer camp, Chabad Ohr Avner is there for the educational needs of Jewish children of all ages. The respective institutions are run by dedicated Shluchim for the Bukharian communities in the United States; Rabbi Zalman Zvulonov, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Wolowik and Rabbi Shmuel Kogan. Chabad Ohr Avner was founded with the help and vision of Mr. Lev Leviev, president of the World Bukharian Jewish Congress.
A grand entry welcomed the supporters and friends of the institutions, who proudly came to express their support and pride in the incredible success of the Mosdos that impact thousands of Jewish families all over the city. Just an hour after Menorah lighting, the doors were opened for the attendees to enter the magnificent hall, that was decked out in the finest decor for this special evening. In true Bukharian tradition, a series of fancy dishes, fish and meat, and all kinds of delicacies were served throughout the evening.
In the spirit of the days of Chanuka, which symbolize the light that that we increase each night, a beautiful slideshow of the shining faces of students who are educated within the walls of Chabad Ohr Avner’s schools, was displayed on enormous screens, to the voices of distinguished Bukharian singers Mr. Yochan Binyaminov and Mr. Albert Nikolayev.
Mr. Dudi Farkash, a longtime friend and supporter of Chabad Ohr Avner was the MC of the event, sharing stories about the school’s success, to ensure another year of continued programming for the community. He also shared miracle stories of heroism from the events of October 7th, inspiring the crowd. Rabbi Avraham Nisanyan, a Rabbi in the boys high school was honored to go up on stage and open the challah after leading with the Bracha of Hamotzie. A magnificent Menorah was lit on the podium by the chief Rabbi of the Bukharian community in the USA and Canada, Rabbi Baruch Babaev followed by beautiful singing of Maoz Tzur by Singer Mendy Shapiro.
The son-in-law of Mr. Lev Leviev, President of the World Bukharian Jewish Congress, Chagit and Greg Sofiev – Leviev, were invited to the stage. Chagit, chairwoman of the board of the Chabad Ohr Avner Institutions, introduced the guest of honor Mr. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations who currently works night and day for the security of the State of Israel. Chagit and her husband Greg, as well as Mr. Erdan, shared words of encouragement and confidence in connection to the war in Israel and the difficult times for the Jewish community.
A video presentation of the Rebbe speaking on the topic of educating the future generations was accompanied by visuals of the holy sights in Eretz Yisrael. Following the Rebbe’s words was a video by Mr. Marik Yadgarov, a resident of the city of Ofakim in Israel. Mr. Yadgrov’s parents were murdered on October 7th in the city of Ofakim. Mr. Yadgrov in his bravery, after seeing that he could not save his parents, managed to save about 20 people from the city after fighting with the Hamas terrorists near the shelter where they were taking refuge in. At the end of the video, Mr. Marik Yadgrov entered the stage, to the applause of the audience for his great heroism. He shared his personal story and words of encouragement with the crowd. Mr. Yadgarov spoke to the importance of Jewish education for the future generations, and the education that he received as a child, by his deceased parents.
Rabbi Leizer Avtzon, a member of the Bukharian Congress presidency, and Rabbi Shraga Zalmanov, the Rebbe’s Shliach to the Israeli community in Queens, led the crowd with The Rebbe’s Kapitel as well as Tehillim for the peace of the soldiers, the hostages, and the residents of Eretz Yisrael.
The crowd was moved by the performance of singer Albert Nikolayev who dedicated a song in Russian to his parents who were murdered. After the singing, Mrs. Miri Ben Ami, whose son Yosef Chaim Ohana was kidnapped in Gaza, joined the stage. Rabbi Baruch Babaev asked the crowd to stand for the blessing of “Mi Sheberach” for her son who was kidnapped in Gaza and said the prayer “El Malei Rachamim” for the upliftment of the souls of Mr. Yadgarov’s parents and all the other people who were mustered Al Kiddush Hashem.
Everyone in the audience then lit a personal candle by their tables, and sang the song “Vehi Sheamda”with the singer Mendy Shapiro, asking Hashem to redeem us from our troubles.
Again the attention of the hundreds of participants was directed to the big screens, to hear a special message from the sponsor and founder of the institutions, the president of the community, Mr. Lev Leviev. Mr. Leviev was the leader who foresaw the urgent need for the future, to build a framework where it will be possible to provide a rooted Jewish education to thousands of children.
The “People of the Year” were honored and called up to the stager: The lawyer Mr. Leo and his wife Rada Jacobs, members of the presidency of the Bukharian Congress, were the recipients of the high school award for boys, from the president of the community center, Mr. Eliyahu Nektalov, and from Mr. Michael Borokhov and supporters of the institutions. Mr. Leo Jacobs spoke about the success of the Chabad Ohr Avner institutions in educating the children of the Bukharian community for a prosperous future.
Mr. Yisrael and his wife Nelly Zaurov, member of the presidency of the Bukharian Congress were the recipients of the Ohr Avner summer camp award from Rabbi Yehuda Blau, Executive Director of Chabad Ohr Avner and CEO of the World Bukharian Jewish Congress in Israel and his wife Chani, who came especially for this evening.
Mr. Ephraim and Dora Molukandov, whose four children studied at Chabad Ohr Avner institutions, were the recipients of the Ohr Chana award from Mr. Boris Matatov, member of the presidency of the World Bukharian Congress and supporter of Chabad Ohr Avnet institutions.
Rabbi Moshe Malayev, a ZAKA volunteer, who was among the hundreds of volunteers in “Unit 360” and worked day and night to locate missing people and help the bereaved families, came up to the stage. Rabbi Malayev assisted in identifying victims and providing initial support to family members who collapsed from emotional pain. He shared the victims’ stories in interviews with the foreign media, all with the single goal of serving and helping the country.
Throughout the inspirational evening, the Shluchim to the Bukharian Jewish Communities to the United States, Rabbi Zvulonov, Rabbi Wolowik and Rabbi Kogan greeted the hundreds of participants and thanked them personally for their ongoing support, saying ‘L’Chaim’ and sharing words of encouragement and strength to the community.
The moving evening ended with joyous dancing by the Shluchim, who were swiftly joined by the rest of the uplifted crowd. Perhaps this is the secret of the success of Chabad Ohr Avner, the personal acquaintance with every student, every parent, every supporter and friend, city councilor or government official. Acquaintance’s that turn into friendships that lead to true partnerships, building hearts and bridges to the future of more and more Jewish children. A continuity that promises a safe and bright future ahead for the Jewish community of Queens.
