Musical Prodigy Highlights Chabad Gala

Chabad of Orange County, NY, directed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, held a Benefit Concert & Gala Reception to benefit the ongoing community services offered by Chabad and pay tribute to the supporters who help make it happen.   The event was held March 31st at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center.

The gala and concert was a memorable, musical and meaningful event. It featured a Gala Reception with hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive concert with young talent and star Ethan Bortnick, and a dessert buffet.

After an elegant cocktail hour, the program began with welcoming words by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, a benediction by young community activist Lee Stanton, of Greenwood Lake and greetings from Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus.  In his greeting, Mr. Neuhaus expressed how Orange County has been enhanced by Chabad of Orange County. “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!”

15 year old music star Ethan Bortnick led an entertaining and interactive concert.  Participants later remarked in Facebook posts that he was “amazing,” “awesome” and “a musical sensation.”

Michelle Sale of Central Valley made this remark on Facebook regarding the evening in general: “Last night was really fun and heartfelt.  It was a true tribute to what Chabad has brought and continues to bring to Orange County!”

Ethan also spoke about the impact Chabad has on his family and what he has seen in his travels around the globe.  Ethan 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.

Megan spoke about her “Growing up with the Chabad of Orange County,” the impact it had not only on her Jewish life, but her social life as well.  “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.”

Before bestowing the awards to the honorees, Rabbi Pesach Burston, who directs Chabad with his wife Chana, 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 evening’s honorees were: Russ & Jodi Cohen of Highland Mills (Lamplighter Award), Gil & Phyllis Goetz of Monroe (Leadership Award) and Eric Muhlrad of Chester (Tikkun Olam Award).

As the honorees came to the stage, 13 year old Duvy Burston played on the piano.

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 County Executive Steve 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.

3.48 4.51 5.42 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100