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