| Our Delaware Valley Region hosted a Gala Dinner celebrating and honoring Jewish education on Thursday evening, March 13 at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, PA. More than 250 people attended the elegant, catered affair on a beautiful spring-like day. Fourteen synagogues from the region participated by honoring a teacher from their faculty and a lay person from their education committee. Each honoree was called up individually and presented with a certificate and a Mordecai Rosenstein print to commemorate the occasion. The guests were in a festive mood and cheered vigorously when the honoree from their synagogue was called. The evening was further enhanced with the presentation of United Synagogue’s William B. Lakritz Award to an outstanding teacher.
The attendees were greeted by Larry Katz, JEA President and Edward Edelstein, JEA Executive Director. Rabbi Jay Stein, Spiritual Leader of Har Zion Temple delivered a D’var Torah. Michael Schatz, Dinner Chair presided over the program and Rabbi Nogah Sherman, Regional President and Host Principal joined in making the presentations to the honorees. The Har Zion Children’s Choir also performed during dinner in celebration of Israel’s 60th Anniversary. Table centerpieces were made by the children of the Har Zion Religious School.
The Dinner was organized with the support and collaboration of the Mid-Atlantic Region of United Synagogue and we extend special appreciation to Lew Grafman, Regional Executive Director. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lakritz Award by Dr. Jack Porter, Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s Education Commission. The award is named for Bill Lakritz, a longtime Principal in Philadelphia and a Past president of JEA. The award went to Claire Spechler of Temple Beth Sholom, Cherry Hill, NJ, a sprite and spirited octogenarian, who literally jumped for joy and danced her way up to the podium to great cheers and applause. One can only imagine the energy that she brings to her classroom!
The Dinner was further enhanced with live music during the cocktail hour and a raffle drawing for a number of exciting prizes including a luxury box for a Philadelphia 76’ers game. There was also a Scroll of Honor printed affording friends and family the opportunity to pay tribute to the honorees.
It takes a real team effort to plan and prepare for such a festive evening. Many thanks to Sherrie Klein and Phil Nordlinger who worked on the planning committee along with Rabbi Nogah Sherman. Yaffa Fuchs did an outstanding job preparing the invitations and the certificates. A super Kol HaKavodto all and to our overall Dinner Chair Michael Schatz. Well done!!! |
