A Dinner With Soul

Brooklyn, NY – The El Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn was brimming with energy at the Annual Dinner of Project Neshama. Hundreds of Russian Jewish immigrants joined by American Jews where there to honor and support the many programs of Project Neshama, a project of Chabad Lubavitch of West Brighton and Manhattan Beach. This year’s dinner focused on the very successful teen program that won acclaim from officials of the City of New York.

The high point of the evening was the moment of silent prayer that was held at nightfall as the day of the 3rd of Tamuz approached. The entire ballroom stood at attention with their eyes closed and their heads bowed, everyone praying together for a better world. Then, Rabbi Zushe Winner, spiritual leader of the Seabreeze Jewish Center, led all in the recitation of Shma Yisroel, shaking the walls of El Caribe.

The dinner honored business leaders Lenny Tilman and Gary Don, as well as City Councilman Michael Nelson, all of them prominent leaders in the community dedicated to the ideals of outreach practiced by Chabad Lubavitch. Leonid Erlikh and Galina Braiman were Dinner Chairs.

The guest speaker at the dinner was Rabbi Berel Lazar, the chief Rabbi of Russia. He inspired the audience to become more connected with their Jewish roots and use their influence for the betterment of the community. Other dignitaries present were Ambassador Adamia, the UN representative of the government of Georgia, State Senator Carl Kruger and representatives from DYCD, the city agency that helped finance the teen program.

Rabbi Avrohom Winner, director of Project Neshama, spoke of the genuine interest of the community in joining the programs of Project Neshama, especially the much acclaimed JLI adult education program beginning in October.