Pesach seder - Congregation Beth El

GALA
We want to gratefully acknowledge our amazing crew of
MADMENSCH volunteers who made our amazing Beth El Gala.
The Gala could not have happened without the support and guidance of the gala committee and advisors
including Sarah Bevis, Juliette Fershtman, Tami Linde, Susie Marcus, Robin McMahon, Lisa Meckler, Jonathan
Miller, Paul Sugarman, Jason and Laura Turbow, Ellen Singer-Vine, Robin Wenrick and Dana Zell. And of course,
thank you to Oded Hilu and Sacha Kopin of Jasmine Catering for the night’s delicious meal. Thank you all!
Gala’s Success Helps Drive YAFE Programs!
Pronounced a big success, Beth El’s Gala event entertained more than 200 “mensches” in ‘60s attire at its
annual cocktail party fundraiser. The theme, Mad Mensch, was based on the popular TV show about life in the
advertising world 50 years ago and hoped to attract a broad group of congregants as well as couples with
children who benefit from Youth and Family Education (YAFE) programs, the recipient of the event’s revenues.
Co-chairs Dana Zell and Juliette Fershtman and their committee worked hard to make this a fun and
lucrative event and, judging by reactions at the Gala, they more than achieved their goal.
With the Men’s Club and Nursery School dads tending bar and live music by Freight and Salvage, a trio,
things got off to a good start at 6:00 pm on January 21st. The Silent and Live Auctions were a big focal point,
in between chatting and munching on hearty hors d’oeuvres. Reg Martin did a great job as auctioneer and
more than $6,000 was raised in that activity alone. The Silent Auction also had some competitive bidding too,
and raised nearly $7,000. Additional scholarship contributions came to $8,400, and the raffle brought in $5,600.
The grand total intake (including ticket fees) exceeded $42,000.
Check Out Photos from the Gala online!
Now you can see Shoey Sindel’s fabulous photos from the Gala. Just visit www.shoeysindel.com and
go to the View/Order tab and click on the album. The password for this year and last year’s albums is “gala”.
Want one more chance to be a Mensch Just order your photos online. The proceeds from the sale of
Shoey’s Gala photos will all go to support youth programs at Beth El.
www.bethelberkeley.org | 7