JEWISH HOME LA

Emek Hebrew Academy celebrates 58^th Annual Trustee dinner

Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center’s 58^th Annual Trustee Dinner took place on February 21st at the Petersen Automotive Museum. This year’s dinner was dedicated to the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education and the legacy of Mr. Alex Pollak, ob”m.

The gallery, located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood, is one of the world’s largest automotive museums. This phenomenal venue has over 100 vehicles on display in its twenty-five galleries, and our guests truly enjoyed perusing the gorgeous automobiles on exhibit. Mr. Nir Weinblut of La Gondola provided scrumptious catering along with an impeccable presentation. Mr. Brad Schachter of Nefesh Music sang and entertained to the audience’s delight. Highlight Photography was on hand to capture all our guests and each invitee was sent home with a framed photograph to remember the evening.

Our master of ceremonies, Dr. Behzad Soufer, an Emek Board member and parent, introduced the Emek Boys Choir. These 5^th grade boys, under the direction of Mrs. Rachel Seidel, sang the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Hatikva.” This spectacular performance was followed by Rabbi Mordechai Shifman, Emek’s Head of School, who spoke about the importance of each community having a Jewish day school and every child within that community being afforded the opportunity to receive a Jewish education.

This year, Emek chose to honor CIJE (Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education) for their ongoing partnership in supporting and propelling forward Emek’s 21^st century educational objectives. CIJE has been extremely helpful in the building of Emek’s three new playgrounds. The first two, located at the Emek main campus on Magnolia, were designed with both our Pre-1^st and older students in mind. The playground at the Emek Early Childhood Center was specifically created for our younger constituents and is being thoroughly enjoyed on a daily basis. We are also grateful for CIJE’s help with upgrades in technology all over the Emek campus and the Innovation Lab in the Finder Family Library.

Mr. Jason Cury, President of CIJE, spoke about the importance of technology in Jewish day schools and keeping up with the educational standards being set throughout the world. The goal is to prepare Emek students, as well as other Jewish students throughout the United States, for the global economy of the future. He was presented with a lovely Jerusalem stone tzedakah box as a token of our appreciation.

In addition, we were honored to have the Pollak family come from near and far to attend the evening to honor the legacy of Mr. Alex Pollak, ob”m. Mr. Pollak was president of Emek from 1978 to 1983 and played an instrumental role in Emek’s purchase of the Magnolia campus. Rabbi Yehuda Pollak spoke on behalf of the family about his father and the Emek community. The Pollak family was presented with one-of-a-kind artwork created by Shabsai Uvsitzky of Shabsai’s Art.

Finally, Emek enhanced the Trustee Dinner program with a special sefer Torah dedication in honor of Mr. Sol Teichman, ob”m. Sol Teichman, born in Munkacs in 1927, endured unthinkable persecution by the Nazis, losing most of his family during WWII. After the war, he set sail to America where he met his wife, Ruth. Together, they have devoted their lives to helping Jewish organizations in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Sol Teichman is one of our founding fathers and Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center will always hold a special place in the Teichmans’ hearts. Last year, Emek commissioned a sefer Torah for Sol in honor of his 90^th birthday. During the dinner, guests had the opportunity to write in our brand new Sol Teichman, ob”m, Legacy Sefer Torah. Additionally, dedication opportunities will be available throughout the year.

The magical evening concluded as our guests had the opportunity to daven Maariv and partake in a delectable dessert reception.  Hand-rolled cigars were available and all guests left with a beautiful challah tray and a unique car-shaped cookie displaying the Emek logo.