February 2010

Lisa Roberts Honored at WJC 34th
Anniversary Gala and Concert

By Stephen E. Lipken

It’s going to be a ‘lollapalooza’ celebration,” predicted Westchester Jewish Conference President Ronald E. Burton, speaking informally about the upcoming 34th Anniversary WJC Gala and Concert. And indeed it was.

Held at Temple Israel of New Rochelle on Saturday, January 30th, a capacity crowd of over 500 residents jammed the Sanctuary to hear “Kol Hazzanim,” 19 Westchester area cantors sing Broadway tunes and pay homage to Lisa Roberts for her multi-faceted efforts as WJC Vice President; Program Director, Rosenthal Jewish Community Center of Northern Westchester Yorktown Branch; Financial Secretary, Congregation Shaaray Tefila in Bedford and helping find housing for 1,300 teen athletes for the Summer 2009 JCC Maccabi games.

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) presented Roberts with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition. Other elected officials present included White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley; New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson; County Clerk Tim Idoni; Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins; Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick; and New York State (NYS) Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.

Temple Israel of New Rochelle Rabbi Scott Weiner explained that the recent holiday Tu B’ Shevat was a combination of Arbor Day and Earth Day, but more importantly, was a season of “tithing,” where ancient Israel gave a portion of their income to help the Temple and indigent community. “So let us contribute to WJC and help those in need,” Weiner concluded.

Jonathan Roberts, Lisa Roberts’ husband gave her another award, a framed four–panel engraving depicting Eschet Chayil, A Woman of Valor, illustrating four of the 22 verses from Proverbs describing the ideal Jewish woman, traditionally recited by husbands to wives each Shabbat.

The four quadrants read:

She stretches out her hand to the poor;
She reaches forth her hand to the needy
She speaks words of wisdom;
Compassion is her virtue
She has patience and devotion for her family
Strength and honor are her clothing, she shall rejoice in the time to come.

The plaque reads “Presented to Lisa Roberts by the Westchester Jewish Conference 34th Annual Gala, January 30, 2010.”

The cantors’ concert, “Psalm Enchanted Evening,” included selections from Guys and Dolls; West Side Story; Show Boat; Milk and Honey; Fiddler on the Roof; Porgy and Bess; Yentl and a hilarious Irving Berlin send-up, There’s No Business Like Shul [Show]Business.

Cantor Erik Contzius is Chair of Kol Hazzanim, uniting hazzans from many backgrounds to showcase a non-denominational source to preserve Jewish musical culture. Burton presented Kol Hazzanim with a $5,000 check to fund their activity; Contzius is turning over half the proceeds to Haitian earthquake relief.

Earlier, a buffet dinner was presented by New Roc Glatt Gourmet Kosher Food Market with musical entertainment by electric guitarists Koby Hayon and Oren Neiman.

In closing, Burton invited guests to take home a “planting,” of Colorado blue spruce available at a table on the second floor for home or garden use in honor of Tu B’ Shevat.

 

© Shoreline Publishing 2010
629 Fifth Avenue, Suite 213, Pelham, NY 10803
Phone: 914-738-7869 Fax 914-738-7876
http://www.shorelinepub.com
prod@shorelinepub.com