Temple Judea held its annual gala recently, “The Gala of Light – A Night to Celebrate the Power of Perseverance” in its newly renovated and lavish Ballroom.
The guest speaker, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, “Dr. Ruth,” gave a fascinating and moving talk about her experiences growing up in war-torn Europe and being a witness as a young girl to seeing her family taken away and ultimately killed by Nazis in the Holocaust. She was able to emigrate to America after being sent to a school in Switzerland to escape the Nazis, then to Palestine, Paris, eventually coming to America. She went to school for higher education, achieving a master’s degree, then her doctorate in education from Columbia University.
She has spent her life as a speaker, an author of several books about her experiences, a sex therapist and a much beloved TV personality.
At the Gala two families were honored for their efforts in helping in the Jewish tradition of “Tikkun Olam,” healing the world. Judit and Jack Ungar and Randi and Brad Butwin, each family in their own way, have been providing much needed help to people and organizations who have benefited from their generous help over the years. Judit Ungarwas one of the founders of the Holocaust Resource Center located on the campus of Temple Judea. It is a cultural center for many groups who come to visit to learn about the Holocaust through the eyes of survivors in a special program called “Adopt a Survivor.”
The Butwins are active members of the Temple Judea community. Brad Butwin, is the Chair of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, an internationally acclaimed law firm of 750 attorneys in 15 offices worldwide. He has earned recognition as one of the nation’s top securities litigators. He has served on the boards of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, the Legal Aid society, as well as Only Make Believe, a nonprofit that performs interactive theater for ailing children.
The festive gala included music, dancing, and a dinner catered by Hasson Caterers for the 240 attendees. The money raised from this event will be used to support the many Temple Judea activities and projects, including the award-winning religious school, Lifelong Learning events, “Building Bridges,” comparative Judaism seminars, Torah studies classes, preparations for bar and bat mitzvah students, singles events and charitable projects run by the Social Action Committee and WRJ Sisterhood.
Proclamations for the event were issued by the Town of North Hills.
The chairs of the Gala, Lauren Resnikoff and Stefanie Rosenthal as well as the president of Temple Judea, Douglas Weigler and Rabbi Todd Chizner spoke to the group, thanking them for their ongoing support.
Temple Judea is located at 333 Searingtown Road, Manhasset (at exit 36 on LIE) and can be reached at (516) 621-8049 or www.temple-judea.com. New members are always welcome.
Submitted by Temple Judea
