Photos: Successful "Spirit Of Community" Dinner!
The Chabad Israeli Center of Greater Toronto, directed by the Shliach Rabbi Yisroel Landau, recently held their 9th annual "Spirit of Community" Dinner, honoring the work of the local Shluchim and focusing on the future, with the building of the new campus underway 1100 guests from the Greater Toronto Area filled the Terrace Banquet Centre for this event.
“The 9th Annual Spirit of Community Dinner was an unconditional success!” declared Event co-chairs Regional Councillor Michael Di Biase and Yosi Behar and echoed by all.
Held June 06th at the Terrace Banquet Centre, the audience of over 1100 guests from the Jewish, Italian and other ethnic communities – the event was sold out weeks early – gave ovations to a stellar roster of speakers, dignitaries and honourees, including:
The Honourable John Baird, P.C., M.P. (by video), awarded the International Community Service Award in recognition of his service to Canada as Minister of Foreign Affairs, assuring our country remains respected as a leader in the global community.
Carlo Baldassarra, President and C.E.O. of Greenpark Group of Companies, awarded the Community Spirit Award in recognition of his philanthropy and support of the community.
Mordechai Ronen, Holocaust Survivor and 18 year IDF Veteran, awarded the Community Heritage Award in recognition of his continual community service and actions in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust and as a supporter of Israel.
Taking the event to a new and higher level was Master of Ceremonies, Steve Paikin, of TVO’s The Agenda, well received words from Reg. Cllr. Di Biase and Mr. Behar, personal messages of greetings and solidarity from Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Vice Prime Minister of Israel Sylvan Shalom and an inspirational oration from Rabbi Yisroel Landa. The evening ended with an exciting live auction with high bidders winning such unique items as the opportunity to name a street in Markham, a dinner for 12 with Mayor Scarpitti, luxury vacations and hockey jerseys from the greatest players in NHL history, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux and Howe.
All proceeds of the Spirit of Community Dinner benefit the Beth Chabad Israeli Community Centre, a local charitable organization led by Rabbi Landa, serving the needs of Israeli immigrants in the GTA. With the help of its supporters the organization will be announcing the grand opening of its new community centre in the autumn of 2012.
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