Oholei Torah Holds Dinner 55

Educational Institute Oholei Torah, the flagship school of Chabad-Lubavitch, celebrated their 55th annual dinner this past Sunday at their Eastern Parkway Campus, in Brooklyn, NY.

For the unprecedented occasion, guests from across America came together to rally in support of Oholei Torah and the vital services it provides children and Talmudic students from Chabad-Lubavitch communities around the globe.

Mr. Simon Jacobson was bestowed the honor of Man of the Year together with a close circle of his friends and associates who gave their support to further the cause and goals of the school.

The evening began with a private meeting of the honorees and prominent members of Crown Heights, and continued with a smorgasbord and banquet in the Gutnick Ballroom.

The sit-down affair, chaired by Yerachmeal Jacobson, began with the reading of a letter of the Rebbe by Rabbi Eliezer Teitelbaum, which was then followed by a sicha from Purim of the year 1974. The Sparks Boys Choir performed, bringing many smiles of nachas to the guests. Mr. Max Leifer was honored with the Attorney of the Year award, introduced by Rabbi Eliezer Gold and presented by Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld.

The Man of the Year Award was presented to Simon Jacobson by Rabbi Nosson Blumes and words of encouragement were given by Rabbi Joseph Rosenfeld. A most heartwarming video presentation was shown, produced by Yankee Teitelbaum, in which Jacobson expressed the importance of supporting Oholei Torah and the tremendous work its staff does with children. He thanked his associates of his J. Group for their continued support.

One by one, over 20 members of the exclusive J. Group were called up to the podium, where each received an award – a globe of the world – for their commitment to Oholei Torah. The moment when they stood holding their globes was one in which many of the honorees said they felt the magnitude of their partnership with Oholei Torah. Honorees said they felt fortunate to be bettering the world through their support of Oholei Torah, the school from which many Shluchim around the world have graduated.

?The gala evening showed a new side to the famous partners of Yissachar and Zevulun,? Jacobson said, ?for we had supporters from all walks of life, who left the event inspired and in awe of the accomplishments and important work of Oholei Torah.” It was also a tremendous Kiddush Lubavitch, Jacobson added, to show that a local Crown Heights institution could garner such wide support and host such an elegant event in Crown Heights.

Rabbi Blumes spoke to the guests on behalf of the Oholei Torah administration, thanking all of the honorees and encouraging them to continue their support. ?There is a saying, ?It takes a village to raise a child,?? Rabbi Blumes said in his address, ?but in Oholei Torah we say ?it takes a child to raise a village,? for each student in Oholei Torah has the potential to become a Shliach in the Rebbe?s army of Shluchim.?

The evening?s guest speaker was Mr. Mark Isaacson, who delivered an eloquent message of humility and told of his personal connections with the Rebbe. He captured the crowd, as many of those in attendance were mesmerized by his profound message.

A teacher?s award was presented to Morah Chanie Charitinow by Rebbetzin Esther Teitelbaum and Mrs. Faige Winner-Hertzel. Dinner was served, catered by Ben Kohen of Kohen Caterers, following which the guests enjoyed the boys? choir and were entertained by a concert from Mendy Jacobson.

Tammy Poletchak of Aristocratic Design masterfully designed the dinner?s dיcor, and the evening?s festivities were captured by photographer Mendel Meyers.

As the guests mingled, one woman expressed her thanks and gratitude to Rabbi Blumes, the dinner?s coordinator, and said, ?Rabbi, it had troubled me – the future of our people and what will be – but after being at your event and seeing the work that you are accomplishing, I am relieved and I know Oholei Torah and Chabad will carry the future of Am Yisroel.?