Chabad hosts benefit concert, gala

SUGAR LOAF — Chabad of Orange County, directed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, held a benefit concert and gala reception at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center to benefit the ongoing community services offered by Chabad and pay tribute to the supporters who help make it happen. The evening’s honorees were Russ and Jodi Cohen of Highland Mills (Lamplighter Award), Gil and Phyllis Goetz of Monroe (Leadership Award) and Eric Muhlrad of Chester (Tikkun Olam Award).
The gala and concert was a memorable, musical and meaningful event. It featured hors d'oeuvres, an exclusive concert with young talent and star Ethan Bortnick, and a dessert buffet.

Being embraced

After the cocktail hour, the program began with welcoming words by the Burstons, a benediction by young community activist Lee Stanton, of Greenwood Lake and greetings from Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus.
“The way Chabad welcomes and embraces the local community is very special,” Neuhaus said. “Orange County is a better place because of Chabad of Orange County. You bring a lot of wonderful things to the table!”
Fifteen-year-old musician Ethan Bortnick led an entertaining and interactive concert, with participants later remarking on Facebook posts that he was “amazing,” “fantastic” and “a musical sensation.”
“Last night was really fun and heartfelt. It was a true tribute to what Chabad has brought and continues to bring to Orange County!” said Michelle Sale of Central Valley on Facebook.
Ethan also spoke about the impact Chabad has on his family and what he has seen in his travels around the globe. He introduced Chester teenager Megan Heller to share a few words on the impact Chabad of Orange County had on her. Megan, now 15, started Jewish education at Chabad when she was 5. Now she is teacher’s assistant at Chabad Hebrew School.
“Through these programs I’ve developed not only friendships that have continued over the last decade, but a sense of family,” Megan said. “Because of their generous and understanding characters, I have never been afraid to ask questions about what it means to be Jewish and how I can better myself as I near adulthood. I hope future generations of children, including my own one day, get to grow up with Chabad and undergo the same experience that I have and realize its true meanings: pride and family.”

With gratitude

Before bestowing the awards to the honorees, the Rabbi expressed his gratitude to the community for their support, and explained just how crucial that support is. “People often assume that Chabad is funded by Chabad Headquarters in Brooklyn,” he said, “but that is, in fact, not the case. While Chabad worldwide is connected through its mutual vision, each Chabad Center is a financially independent, self-supporting entity. Chabad is a partnership organization and is enabled and funded solely by community partners and donors who share Chabad’s goals.”
Chabad thanked the partners who helped make Chabad in Orange County possible and presented awards to three honorees for their support and service to the community.
The honorees were presented with Judaica art etched with 24 karat gold, engraved with a personal message, as well as a certificate of recognition from Neuhaus and a certificate of merit from Senator John Bonacic.
All the participants were gifted with a box of Passover Shmurah Matzah.
To learn more about Chabad of Orange County visit www.ChabadOrange.com and www.facebook.com/chabadorange