Rabbi's Blog

Dear Friends:

I am happy to announce that the Annual Dinner & Community Celebration will be held on March 28, 2022. Look for invitations in the mail shortly.

We welcome David & Nicole Debora as our Guests of Honor & Couple of the Year - they have quietly been reliable supporters of our shul for many years. Esther Rimokh and Heather Conn have distinguished themselves by their leadership in selfless acts of chesed for our community, and will each be honored with the Max Rosenbaum & Maurice Schauer Gemilus Chesed Award. They have both recently embarked on a new chesed initiative called Women in Network (WIN). We are also honoring all those who braved Covid these past two years and have helped Rabbi Allen Schwartz and Rabbi Jack Varon to make our shul and community thrive - the volunteer Teachers & Gabbaim of OZ will be recognized with the Nathan K Gross Community Service Award. While we were anxious, sometimes alone, sometimes sick, deprived of a connection to Torah and one another, these people tended to our religious and spiritual health. We wish to take notice and thank them and show our gratitude.

As I have mentioned, I have strived to make the Dinner a fun experience. There will be no speeches - instead, we will have a short video presentation. The music is courtesy of the popular Glenn Crytzer Band, who will deliver a cool vibe, playing American & Jazz Standards. The always exquisite ZAMI is catering, and the menu looks amazing - you will not be disappointed! Come for a couple of hours after work - I actually think you'll have a good time. It will be held at Midtown Loft & Terrace, steps from the subway, and you can have a drink indoors or outside while soaking in the skyline. If you ask me, after two years of Covid, a party like this is exactly what we need. 

We anticipate that since Covid has now plateaued here in the city, that by the Annual Dinner date the current surge will be over and restrictions will be mostly lifted as they were a couple of months ago. Otherwise, we will of course continue to abide by all the mandates.

The Annual Dinner raises funds that are crucial for the operating budget. Whether you can attend or not, surely our Honorees deserve your support. This is your chance to show them some love and keep the shul open at the same time. It’s win-win!

This will be my last Dinner as President, and there may be a special tar-and-feathering ceremony to celebrate it! Not to be missed.

Ari Weitzner
President

Rachel Spirgel
Dinner Chairperson

Esther Varon
Journal Chairperson