Tonight, with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, we say, “Thank you, Hashem!”

 

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support the pioneers of Shlomit. Our gratitude extends boundlessly to Brian and Suzanne Marcus. And of course, heartfelt thanks to our gala chairs, Jane and Colin Scher, for galvanizing all the volunteers and everyone who has contributed to making this gala memorable and meaningful.

 

Tonight, we honor Brian and Suzanne for their unwavering dedication and support, which have fostered unity and growth within our community. Their leadership has brought new programming, full services and classes, and many new members to Adat Yeshurun.

 

As we celebrate 37 years, we reaffirm our bond with Israel, particularly through our partnership with the resilient community of Shlomit. Situated on the Gaza-Egypt border, Shlomit faced severe hardships on October 7th and beyond. Despite these challenges, their spirit remains unbroken, and we stand with them in solidarity and support.

 

As we move forward, we deepen our connection with the families of Shlomit, a community exemplifying resilience and hope. Their journey, from Gush Katif to Shlomit, inspires us. We are committed to fostering personal connections and showing our solidarity.

 

Our mission is to show our love through connection, funding, and rebuilding. The heroic actions of Shlomit's security team on October 7th saved many lives. Now, as they rebuild, we are dedicated to helping them construct a new shul, symbolizing hope and resilience. The Torah, described by King Solomon as a Tree of Life, has been the source of vitality for Adat Yeshurun in our shul. This gala celebrates our efforts to support our Torah center in La Jolla and Shlomit’s. Adat's record-breaking campaign, through your generosity, has set a new fundraising record, supporting both our programs and the establishment of the new synagogue in Shlomit.

 

Tonight, we are blown away by how the Adat community has demonstrated love through actions. Thank you for your unwavering support. May we continue to grow and thrive as a community, united in our shared values and traditions, and continue to stand with Israel and its heroes. We are not only saying "I love you," but also demonstrating it through our actions, not just saying “I love you” but DOING “I love you.”

With tremendous admiration and gratitude,

 

Rabbi Daniel, Rebbetzin Brooke, Leeba, Shira, Asher, Sari, and Margalit Reich