Queen’s Tea Raises Funds for Camp Gan Israel Scholarship Fund

MONROE, NY [CHI] — Chabad’s Jewish Women’s Circle recently held its gala event, “The Queen’s Tea”, a fund-raiser to benefit the Camp Gan Israel Scholarship fund. Eighty women from throughout the county attended the elegant affair, held in the ballroom of the estate of Dr. Seth and Nadine Pulver.

Guests enjoyed iced tea fountains and tea cookies on the cobblestone porch adjacent to the ballroom as they met one another. The tables in the ballroom were beautifully decorated with floral arrangements donated by the Flower Carousal of Central Valley. Door prizes of glass beaded bracelets with “Star of David” charms were hand-made by volunteers Gabi Cohen and Sigal Szuchman, of Highland Mills. Arielle Gordon of Goshen provided live piano entertainment throughout the evening.

Nancy Levine of Highland Mills welcomed the crowd as the Mistress of ceremonies. She acknowledged that the evening marks five years of successful Jewish Women’s Circle programming, a circle which unites Jewish Women of all affiliations and backgrounds to learn and socialize though various creative mediums.

Chana Burston, director of the Jewish Women’s Circle inspired participants and explained the theme of the evening, “Generations” – celebrating the responsibility Jewish women are given to continue the legacy of the Jewish people which has kept strong for over 3300 years.

Andrea Pincus, of Washingtonville, the Queen’s Tea committee head, thanked the many individuals and companies who generously helped sponsor the special evening.

Participants loved the feature performance “From Showgirl to Shabbat” with comedienne and musician Dawne Ellison of San Diego, California. A stand-up comedienne and musical performer, Ellison incorporated song, live music and humor as she shared with the audience her journey of discovering her Jewish faith. “It was extremely entertaining and empowering – I truly enjoyed her unique performance” commented Stacey Finklestein of Middletown.

As all enjoyed a gourmet dinner, Sigal Szuchman of Cut2Cut Videography reflected on her children’s positive experience in Camp Gan Israel, and presented a video presentation of Camp Gan Israel highlights. “My three children wait the whole year to attend the camp,” she told the audience, “the warm Jewish atmosphere, the creative learning and excellent activities and trips make Gan Israel a truly fabulous experience.”

Another special element of the affair was “Three Generations”, a presentation which featured three generations of local Jewish women Grandmother Barbara Klein, daughter Karen Celedonio and her daughter Sarah, age 10, each “passed on the flame of Jewish tradition” to one another with long candlesticks as they addressed the audience. They shared their memories of traditions learned from their mothers, and their aspirations of what they wish to pass on to their children.

Throughout the event, a magnificent silhouette exhibit created by the women of the Queen’s Tea committee, with significant artistic contribution from Lorri Glatt of Monroe. Adjacent to each silhouette was a biography of a Jewish woman who exemplified heroic qualities, some were more popular historical figures from the Bible, and some “unsung” Jewish heroines from the Spanish Inquisition, the holocaust and Tsarist Russia. Sima Zelenko of Monroe felt inspired when she reached the final display, which was a beautiful mirror. This final display read: The Future Heroine of the Jewish People.

The concluding presentation was the “links of Wisdom” project headed by Iris Sandow of Highland Mills. Participants received “links” on which they wrote their name, a tradition or memory passed on from generations before them, and what each person aspires to pass on to the future generation.

“The event was marvelous,” said Samira Galler, of Monroe, who helped sponsor the evening. “The setting was elegant and the comedienne was very entertaining with a message – it was a true highlight for me.”