Cause for Celebration 10 North Shore Towers Courier n July 2016 UJA-Federation Of New York celebrates Israel Independence Day (l. to r.) Reva Mandelbaum, Gerry Rubin, Eneas Arkawy, Charlotte Balsam, Elliot Arnold, Esther Andron The North Shore Towers Israel Cabaret Night on behalf of the UJAFederation of New York was a night to remember. I had not ever attended one of these functions before and I can assure you I will not miss another one. Our North Shore Towers friends were ready for a fun night and were eager to start. Irwin Gershon, Senior Development Executive for UJA-Federation of New York, started the evening with the introduction of Eneas Arkway who chaired the evening’s event. Anyone who knows Eneas can attest to her dedication, so nothing Irwin said was new, but two remarks stood out among the rest: UJA is part of Eneas’s neshuma, because “everything she does is with her heart” and that you need just three words to define her: “One fine woman!” According to the applause. I think everyone agreed. Before she started her talk, Eneas paid tribute to recently deceased Ernie Michel with a moment of silence. He was not only dedicated to the UJA, but while living here at the Towers, also co-chaired the Yom Hashoah programs with Eneas. His experience as an Auschwitz survivor prompted him to dedicate his life to ensure the survival of the Jewish people and to helping others. Hopefully, his story will be continued through us. Guest speaker Joan Kleinman told us a poignant story of her early life in Israel with her family, after her husband was hired by the Israeli government to help build and develop secret F17 airbases. She lived in Israel for many years and returned after his passing. She still treasures the time she spent there. Riva Mandelbaum introduced a film depicting all that the UJA does here and around the world. It was a virtual mission statement: “What is the face of the UJA-Federation of New York?” It pinpointed why we were all there at this event. “It enables Jews to overcome crises, cope with struggles of everyday life and achieve self-sufficiency. Their caring hands extend to those living in poverty, the aging, Holocaust survivors, children and adults with disabilities and special needs, and the unemployed across the economic spectrum. They support crucial human services to all UJA-Federation of NY wherever they are and Jews everywhere.” Riva focused on some outstanding examples, such as the fact that in Israel, which is in the forefront of the tech revolution, the country helps train people in that sector. Locally, it supports five JCC’s on Long Island with grants and services for children and our senior population. It is also fighting anti-semitism in Europe and here in the United States. Additionally, it provides for 5,700 camp survivors by offering counseling, specifically to help cope with the past and the struggles of everyday life. To help the impoverished right here on Long Island, our guests were also asked to bring one gift of kosher food, which will be donated to the Rina Shkolnik kosher Food Pantry a UJA –Federation beneficiary agency. After the wonderful presentations by our guest speakers, it was time to start our dinner, provided by the kosher caterers from the Shelter Rock Jewish Center. During the evening, we were teased by the delicious assortment of appetizers, but now it was time to get down to the serious business of our yummy main course. Wine was flowing like water and put everyone in a happy mood. Cantor Yosi Karavani of The Old Westbury Jewish Center recited the HaMotzi before dinner and entertained us throughout the evening with a wonderful array of Hebrew and old Yiddish favorites. As the evening wound down, everyone joined in a hora, which was so much fun! I wasn’t sure it would ever end. From the expression on everyone’s face it was a phenomenal evening—great food, great music, great people and a very great cause. You couldn’t have asked for more. By Gloria Beck Eneas Arkawy and Joan Kleinman Yosi Karavani entertains Eneas Arkawy welcomes everyone Photos by Marty Ragusa
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