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Clown’s a cause for couture group at Lev Leytzan benefit

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Couture for a Cause’s latest benefit was a sell-out fundraiser to benefit Lev Leytzan, the organization with Five Towns roots that brings compassionate clowning to the sick and elderly.

The untimely passing of the father of Couture for a Cause co-founder Esther Silber-Berg the previous day rocked the organization and might well have put the event on hold.

As a beloved pillar of the Jewish communSilber-Berg had dedicated her work for CFAC to her father, Chaim “Lobo” Silber, and credited him for her lifelong passion for charity. As she knew that the cause was bigger than the celebration, Silber-Berg insisted that the show must go on, and it did — dedicated to her father’s memory.

After a dedication by CFAC co-founder Michal Weinstein, guests viewed a short video about Lev Leytzan that offered a glimpse of work done by the organization founded by Dr. Neal Goldberg and its troupe of medical clowns specially trained to bring joy to those most in need.

Actor and comedian Elon Gold kept the crowd in stitches as he kept his promise to stay mostly kosher for “his people.” Joking about the unique Jewish culture, holidays and customs, his appearance couldn’t have been better suited to the cause and certainly provided a much needed opportunity for levity.

With a crowd of 350 in attendance, including Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel, Temple Beth El in Cedarhurst flawlessly transformed to accommodate the comedy and casino theme and set the stage for the festive fundraising.

The joy of the pre-Purim season filled the atmosphere with eating, drinking and laughter. Compassionate clowns from Lev Leytzan joined in, manning a photo booth along with comical props, allowing guests to get into the spirit and clown around.

Casino tables were set up by New York Fun Factory with winnings given in raffle tickets – ensuring that the focus would be on the fun and simultaneously supporting the long list of generous businesses that donated luxurious goods and services as prizes to benefit Lev Leytzan. Malka DJ Entertainment kept the party flowing throughout the night with DJ Mario as a superb master of ceremonies.  

Every CFAC production is a joint venture and each year the fellowship grows, with eager volunteers, creative vendors and generous sponsors all working to cultivate the vibe that defines Couture for a Cause, which has been producing fashion shows for charity since 2007.

From the transformative lighting and elegant décor by Event Planner NY and Gitty Lowinger, to cocktails by Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits and Herzog and Seaview Caterers’ gourmet food, with Jerry Meyer Studio on hand to capture all of the moments, it was the ultimate display of community resources coming together to create something larger than the sum of its parts.

Source: Couture for a Cause