Valley Tribute to Legendary Shliach

450 supporters and special guests of Chabad of the Valley joined together recently in a historic Tribute Dinner honoring the Life, Legacy and Vision of Rabbi Joshua B. Gordon, of blessed memory.

In the aftermath of Rabbi Gordon’s passing on 29 Shevat, 5776 – February 8, 2016 at the age of 66, expressions of sorrow and condolences poured in from the world over. The loss was certainly felt more directly and intensely in the Valley communities, where Rabbi Gordon dedicated his life to building a network of 26 Chabad Houses spanning an area of close to 100 miles and staffed by a team of more than 70 Rabbis and Rebbetzins.

The evening, organized by Rabbi Gordon’s son-in-law Jonathan Herzog, was a fitting tribute and honor to the Founding Shliach of The Valley, a unique and special individual who positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands, spearheading a monumental change in the spiritual landscape of one of the largest Jewish populaces in the world and then in later years affecting so many more through his daily online classes of Chumash, Tanya and Rambam on Chabad.org’s Jewish.tv network, that has racked up millions of views and continues to do so with thousands of dedicated students across the globe.

Video: Tribute to Rabbi Gordon

The Tribute Dinner took place at Chabad of the Valley’s 22,000 sq foot Headquarters in Tarzana, California and featured a musical tribute by legendary Jewish music star, Mordechai Ben David accompanied by local wunderkind Moshe Azulai and a powerful documentary produced by Rabbi Mayer Greene, chronicling the extraordinary life and contribution of Rabbi Gordon, ob’m, as described by leaders such as Rabbi Marvin Hier founder of the Simon Weisenthal Centre, global philanthropist Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, Executive Vice President – American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Senator and former Vice-Presidential candidate, the Honorable Joseph Lieberman and nationally syndicated talk show host, Dennis Prager amongst others. Rabbi Yochanan Baitelman coordinated a momentous Tribute Dinner journal dedicated to Rabbi Gordon’s life, legacy and vision, which was distributed at the event.

Honored Chairpersons of the historic event were: Daniel and Vardit Aharonoff, Gary and Rochelle Finder, Danny and Gabriella Shapiro and Lyle and Veronica Weisman, a group of people who played transformative roles in the Shlichus, vision and everlasting legacy of Rabbi Joshua B. Gordon z”l.

Key speakers who paid tribute in person at the dinner included, Rabbi Gordon’s longtime friend and colleague, the Associate Director of Chabad of the Valley, Rabbi Mordechai Einbinder,
Video: Full program

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Chabad Lubavitch Int’l – Merkos Linyonei Chinuch and a close personal friend of Rabbi Gordon dating back to his Yeshiva days, youngest son Eli Gordon, Danny Shapiro, representing the Honorary Chairpersons of the evening and Rabbi Ari Herzog, who is now the Spiritual Leader at Chabad of Encino.

Today Chabad of the Valley continues to be recognized as a model and standard bearer of success to the thousands of Chabad centers around the world, operating in 26 cities and college campuses across the Valley including its branches at: Chabad of Tarzana, Chabad of Encino, Chabad of Sherman Oaks, Chabad of Agoura, Chabad of North Hollywood, Chabad of Westlake, Chabad of Studio City, Chabad of Oak Park, Chabad of Woodland Hills, Chabad of Calabasas, Chabad of Northridge, Chabad of Chatsworth, Chabad @ CSUN, Chabad of Ventura, Chabad of Thousand Oaks, Chabad at Porter Ranch, Chabad of Simi Valley, Chabad of S. Clarita Valley, Chabad of North Ranch, Chabad at Pierce College, Chabad of West Hills, Chabad of Lake Encino, Chabad On Tampa, Chabad of Toluca Lake, Chabad of Granada Hills and Chabad of Newbury Park.

Video: MBD in Concert