Senator Blessed to Know Chabad

BY LAURESHA XHIHANI, REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut honored three local people for their good deeds at a gala dinner and silent auction Sunday.

Jeff J. Tinley, an attorney with the Waterbury firm of Tinley, Nastri, Renehan and Dost, received the Man of the Year award for his support of a children’s summer camp run by the Jewish organization.

“I’m very honored and humbled to be receiving this award,” Tinley said.

Tinley, who has practiced law in Waterbury for 22 years, has also served as legal adviser to the organization.

Scot L. Stanton, owner of Stanton Equipment Inc. and a board member of the Connecticut Rivers Council of Boy Scouts of America, was honored with the Community Service Award. Ellen P. Pollack, a saleswoman with the Republican-American and president of Greater Waterbury Rotary Club, received the Parent of the Year Award.

The annual event honors people in the community for their “mitzvahs,” or good deeds, and whose work enriches other people’s lives.

The event held at CoCo Key Water Resort – Hotel – Convention Center celebrated 15 years of community service for the organization.

Chabad Lubavitch is the largest Jewish organization worldwide with 2,700 branches around the globe.

Past honorees have included Paul Tornaquindici, owner of ShopRite in Waterbury, which has helped a thriving Jewish community in the city by providing kosher foods; Neil O’Leary, former Waterbury police chief and mayoral candidate; and Dr. Peter J. Jacoby, chairman of emergency medicine at St. Mary’s Hospital.

In attendance Sunday were Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Lt. Gov. Nancy S. Wyman, the keynote speaker.

“I feel blessed that Chabad has been part of my life,” Blumenthal said.

The mission of Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut is “to change the world one mitzvah at a time,” Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach said.

Sunday’s honorees reflect the non-sectarian nature of Chabad, with only one of the honorees being of the Jewish faith.

Pollack, a member of Chabad, is the parent of Harrison Herdzik, an honor student of Waterbury Arts Magnet School who is having his bar mitzvah in April.

“My greatest contribution in this world is my child,” said Pollack.