Chabad 5T: 17 years strong

A crowd of 600 guests representing a broad spectrum of the Five Towns community gave their support to Chabad of the Five Towns at its annual dinner on Dec. 11 at The Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst. Billed as “Chabad Magnified,” the event took a closer look at the local Chabad’s accomplishments over the last 17 years; and to focus on the future, with a vision of growth. “Baruch Hashem I am grateful to the community for being so supportive,” Chabad director Rabbi Zalman Wolowik said. “In this economy when it’s such a struggle, the honorees graciously accepted the responsibility to do the job and the community responded.”

Five local couples were honored for their unique commitment to Chabad, Leibel and Myrna Zisman, Aryeh and Brocha Blumenthal, Dovi and Tzipi Faivish, Mitchell and Stacey Teller; and Gan Chamesh Parents of the Year Dr. Mendel and Faigie Warshawsky.

The festive mood of the evening flowed simultaneously as lavish buffets graced two ballrooms at the event. “Chabad is who we are, it is our essence. We both grew up Chabad in different parts of the world,” said Woodmere resident Chanie Begun. “Being here 15 years, Chabad has evolved in a major way. We like to say, join Chabad and see the world”.

Rabbis from neighboring congregations and community leaders were on hand to honor Chabad’s long list of programs, including, but not limited to, care for special needs children, a preschool, Smile on Seniors, Friendship Circle, and the Levi Yitzchak Library on Central Avenue, which opened a year ago. Bezrat Hashem they look forward to making their 12th annual Mission to Israel in January.