JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BUILDING AS WE HONOUR OUR VISIONARY LEADERS

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS

GARY AVERBACH, LORNE CRISTALL z’l & HERSHEY PORTE z’l

VISIONARY DONORS

THE LUTSKY, GALES, AVERBACH, CRISTALL, GLASSMAN & PORTE FAMILIES

BUILDING CHAIR

ALFONSO ERGAS

BURN THE MORTGAGE CHAIR

LEE SIMPSON

AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHANNON ETKIN

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

BE THE LIGHT GALA IS NOW SOLD OUT

RECEPTION 5:15PM | EVENT 6:15PM

This is an 19+ event

Each Be The Light Gala guest will receive a $50 gift card to South Granville’s MOTRATi boutique.

MIX & MINGLE RECEPTION

Enjoy your favourite beverage and some delicious hors d’ oeuvres while catching up with friends, family, and colleagues

CONCERT PERFORMANCES BY NISSIM BLACK

Settle in for two concert sets by internationally renowned Israeli singer/rapper Nissim Black

A UNIQUE DINNER EXPERIENCE

The menu for the Be The Light Gala has been crafted by Chef Yaniv Cohen and The Perfect Bite Catering

VIDEO PRESENTATION

An inspiring video has been created celebrating the 10th anniversary of the completion of our shul

COMMEMORATIVE PORTRAIT

Take home a beautiful 8x10 black and white commemorative portrait courtesy of Zuckerman & Wong Photography

LIVE AUCTION

Auctioneer Howard Blank will lead the live auction featuring curated experience packages

We’d Like to Introduce Our Very Special Guests

Nissim Black

Nissim Black is an American-Israeli rapper, singer, and influencer who is taking the world by storm.

With a musical style that ranges from rap to pop, Nissim Black's unique sound has captured the hearts and minds of fans all around the world.

Nissim has amassed over 27 million views on YouTube and his incredible story is currently being made into a comedy drama series on HBO.

Chef Yaniv Cohen

Yaniv Cohen, known as 'The Spice Detective' is an Israeli chef and owner of restaurant Jaffa Miami.

He is the author of 'My Spiced Kitchen' and winner of the Netflix show 'Best Leftovers Ever'. Yaniv is a fun and engaging veteran of virtual and live workshop sessions in Hebrew, English, and Spanish.

The Be The Light Gala menu has been crafted by Chef Cohen.

Brett Sandler

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Brett is a long time Jewish Community activist in Vancouver. He spent nearly 20 years as a Director of the JCCGV and is a past two time JCC sports dinner chairman.

Brett has a long history of significant fundraising in the Jewish community and was the genesis of the current JWest Project. Brett is also well versed in public speaking in his various fund raising roles and as chief financial officer of Bosa Properties.

Brett also sits of the Board of Directors for King David High School.

Howard Blank

AUCTIONEER

Howard Blank is a proud member of the entertainment and NPO sector.

Over the past 25 years Howard has helped to raise over 1 billion dollars for organizations across North America.

Howard has received many accolades and awards and is recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the British Columbia Community Achievement Medal and the Order of Canada Sovereign’s medal for volunteerism.

In 2021 Howard was featured in Business in Vancouver’s BIV 500 as one of the top executives in British Columbia.

Shannon Chung

SINGER

Shannon Chung is a singer, songwriter, visual artist and vocal instructor. Her passion is teaching, singing, performing and allowing others to explore their sound.

She has been singing all her life and nothing brings her more joy than connecting with others through music and the arts. Over the last 18 years she has performed at various galas/events such as VGH Time to Shine, BC Women's & Lions Gate Hospital, as well as other various fundraisers.

She also enjoys collaborating with other musicians to put on concerts at intimate settings such as Hy Tea Lounge or productions as large as Phantom of The Opera at the River Rock Casino.

Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors and Donors

TITLE


Gerry & Ruby Gales and Family

PRESENTING


PLATINUM


GOLD


Rose Marie Glassman & Family

Gary Averbach & Family

The Lutsky Families

SILVER


Neri & Aron Tischler

Doug and Lana Pulver Family Foundation 

Heather & Jonathan Berkowitz

Josephine Nadel & David Zacks

Alfonso & Lori Ergas

Elaine Schwartzman

Anonymous

BRONZE


Lee & Bernie Simpson

Alan & Candace Kwinter

Darlene & Richard Ames

Isaac Elias & Christie Menzo & Helen Pinsky

Brian & Sidnee Bell

PATRONS OF BETH ISRAEL


Rabbi Jonathan Infeld & Lissa Weinberger

Chana & Randy Charach

Yvette Porte

Myrna Koffman

Gail & Mickey James

Marcy Schwartzman & Larry Vinegar

Ethel & David Frankel

Marlene & Norman Franks

Cathy Paperny & Ron Ritch

Shannon & Daniel Ezekiel

Lloyd & Kim Baron

Lori Satov & Rob Kraft

Dr. Erik & Paige Swartz

Larry Rice & Joanne Sheps

Michelle & Daniel Dodek

Joanna & Shaul Rafael

Miri & Larry Garaway

Eric & Tammy Lofstrom

Daniel & Laura Frankel

Justine Fisher & Robert Alloway

Debby & Ted Koffman

Dr. Eugene & Karla Marks

Orlee Guttman & Jonathan Weisman

Judy & Isaac Thau

Stephanie Phillips & Brad Gross

FRIENDS OF BETH ISRAEL


Elliot & Megan Laskin

Carole & Lucien Lieberman

Bernard Pinsky & Daniella Givon

Bruce & Cecille Cohen

Paul & Edie Steinbok

Carol Kline

Daniel Bell & Linda Feng

Sheila Romalis

Elspeth Flood & Harry Satanove

Bette-Jane Israels & Stephen Simon

Janet & Marty Braverman

Grace Mickelson

Lindsay & Marnie Goldberg

Michelle & Neil Pollock

Si & Mary Jane Brown

Heather Sirlin & Alan Kenney

Catherine & Michael Epstein

Sharon Kates

Ken & Leah Levitt

Marcela & Arturo Manes

Gerri & Mark London

Jonathan & Christine Wisenthal

Rabbi Adam & Tamar Stein

Bob Markin

Pat Laimon

Harley & Eleanor Rothstein

The Reay Family

SPECIAL EXCLUSIVE EVENT FOR SPONSORSHIP OR DONATIONS OF $1800 AND HIGHER

An Evening with Chef Yaniv Cohen Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Generously hosted at the home of Mark James and family, Chef Cohen will present a unique culinary experience featuring Israeli spices.

Guests will also receive a signed copy of Chef Cohen’s book My Spiced Kitchen : A Middle Eastern Cookbook

Singer Shannon Chung will be performing during the evening.

Sponsorship and Donorship

Be The Light has sponsorship opportunities at every level.

All donors and sponsors who support us with $1,800 or higher will receive tickets to an exclusive evening with Chef Yaniv Cohen along with other perks including ticket packs and ad space in the event program. Check out all the details below…

All sponsors and donors will also receive a full tax receipt.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR GALA COMMITTEE

Jennifer Apple Kerry Benson

Samara Bordan Chana Charach

Shannon Ezekiel Shannon Gorski

Carol Konkin Jodi Laksman

Samantha Levin Juliette Sandler

Paige Swartz Leatt Vinegar