Russian Jews Giving Back

The elegant reception hall at Kings Terrace was filled with buoyant good cheer as friends, admirers, and supporters arrived for Chabad Neshama’s Testimonial Dinner. Hundreds of Russian Jewish immigrants, joined by American Jews joined together in unity to honor and support the many programs of Chabad Neshama, a project of Chabad Lubavitch of West Brighton and Manhattan Beach.

The dinner honored community and business leaders Galina Pincow, Sam Shanyder and Vlad and Inessa Sirota, all of them influential members of the community dedicated to the ideals of outreach practiced by Chabad Neshama. David Dubrow and Dr. Joseph Kleynerman, long-time Chabad Neshama board members, were the Dinner Chairmen.

“If you don’t know your roots, you don’t know who you are”, said Galina Pincow urging the members of the Russian Jewish community to become more involved in Jewish life, as she accepted the Philanthropic Leadership Award. Eddie Shanyder introduced his father, Sam, the recipient of the Business Leadership Award. Eddie spoke about the accomplishments of the Russian emigration, and the importance of “giving back” to the community by supporting the work of Chabad Neshama.

Rabbi Zushe Winner, founder of Project Neshama, spoke about the expansion of Chabad Neshama activities into two centers covering the shorefront area and serving thousands of families with their communal, social and spiritual needs.

Many considered the highlight of the evening when all stood at attention listening to the tune of the Rebbe’s Maamor Nigun. The lights were dimmed, everyone lit a candle, closed there eyes and prayed together for a better world.

The dinner was for the benefit of the Chabad Neshama Centers in West Brighton Beach and in Manahattan Beach. Their highly successful program, including the Neshama Preschool, Teen Scene and After School, provide an exciting and inviting environment for Jewish youth to discover how Judaism can be fun and is relevant even in our times. Adult education classes, Hebrew reading classes, Hebrew School, Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs make the Chabad Neshama Centers the communal lighthouse serving the Brighton and Manhattan Beach area.