Chabad of Poway celebrates 30 years
Nearly 300 people gathered June 26 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Chabad of Poway with a gala dinner and auction.
The evening started off with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a live band, wine tasting from Herzog Winery and silent auction.
Just before the closing of the silent auction, Congressman Scott Peters addressed the crowd with warm words as he showed respect for the local Jewish community and shared thanks to Chabad of Poway for all the programs and services they have provided the North County Inland community for the past 30 years.
The event continued in the synagogue banquet hall with a 5-star kosher gourmet dinner, catered by JB Catering. As a Jewish festive meal starts off with challah, the pioneering members since 1986, were honored with the “hamotzi’ (blessing on the bread) as an appreciation for their continuous support and commitment. The evening continued with a live auction and raffle. A montage of the past 30 years was shown during dinner, bringing back many memories from when Chabad started off in different store fronts until, finally, the purchase of Chabad’s permanent home off Rancho Bernardo Road and the many activities that have taken place since then.
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, director of Chabad of Poway, shared how his inspiration to move here from Brooklyn, New York in 1986, was from his spiritual leader and rabbi, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. With the rebbe’s blessing, Rabbi Goldstein and his wife set out to build a vibrant Jewish community in a place devoid of any religious observance. A short clip of the rebbe, narrated by John Voight, explained the mission of the rebbe to empower every individual to be a giver. Every Sunday the rebbe would hand out dollars to all who came, making them his partner to give it to the charity of their choice. He explained that when two people meet, something good should result for a third. Rabbi Goldstein then presented one of these dollars he received from the rebbe to the founders of this Chabad Center, Dr. Ray and Kim Poliakoff, in appreciation for their dedication and ongoing commitment to the Jewish community
The night concluded with dessert and entertainment from world-renowned mentalist Marc Salem, who has been seen on Showtime and The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, astonishing the crowd with his performance.