‘There is crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’
-Leonard Cohen
Join us as our community comes together for Congregation Beth Israel’s annual fundraising event!
This will be an amazing night where music and inspiration combine to create an impactful and unforgettable experience.
Lively performances by Dueling Pianos Vancouver will set the tone of reflection and hope, followed by a moderated panel discussion with very special guests.
Jonah Platt Actor, advocate, and host of the Being Jewish podcast
Zach Sage Fox Activist, comedian, actor, writer
Celeste Haldane Chief Commissioner, BC Treaty Commission
The Beth Israel Community will present Chief Constable Adam Palmer of the Vancouver Police Department with the Keter Bitachon Award.
JUNE 8, 2025
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
SPONSOR RECEPTION 5:00 PM SHARP
GALA DOORS 5:45 PM
Tickets on sale now $270
This is a 19+ event.
Seating is General Admission Seating for ticket purchasers, and Reserved for sponsors and donors.
Shape of the Evening
Exclusive Sponsor Reception with Keynote Speakers
Premium Catering by The Lazy Gourmet
Dueling Pianos Vancouver
Panel Discussion with Special Guests
360’ Photo Booth
Auctioneer Howard Blank
Keter Bitachon Award Presentation
Our Very Special Guests
Jonah Platt
Jonah Platt is a trusted advocate for the Jewish community and his hit weekly podcast, BEING JEWISH WITH JONAH PLATT, brings his signature nuance, compassion, and curiosity to deep conversations around Jewish identity with a wide array of notable guests.
Jonah is an in-demand speaker, emcee, moderator, & singer who has worked with many organizations such as StandWithUs, Israel on Campus Coalition, Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, Friends of Magen David Adom, Jewish Family & Career Services, and Jewish Federations of North America.
Jonah is also a multi-platform creator and performer. As an actor, Jonah appeared in Broadway’s smash hit WICKED, Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-nominated BEING THE RICARDOS, Darren Starr’s UNCOUPLED, and most recently THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY at the Geffen Playhouse. Jonah has worked as a network TV writer, a director of theater & improv, a producer across all mediums, a vocal arranger extraordinaire, and is a highly sought after singer and musician.
Zach Sage Fox
Zach is an American comedian, actor, producer and content creator known for his activism for Israel and against antisemitism.
Fox co-developed a prank-themed television show, Disney's Just Kidding, when he was 17.
He is the co-founder of Fat Camp Films, a multimillion-dollar multimedia company that has transformed content creation and marketing. Since founding the company as a teenager, Fox has pioneered viral campaigns, produced award-winning films, and amassed over a billion views across social media platforms. Known for his innovative approach, Fox helped develop a top trending teen comedy on Hulu, securing a distribution deal and making history in Hollywood.
When the October 7 attacks occurred, Fox had 1.2 million social media followers. He used his accounts to raise awareness about antisemitism including a June 2024 video in which he unsuccessfully sought local residents in Ramallah who would denounce Hamas.
Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane
Celeste Haldane is serving her third term as Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission and was first appointed in 2017. Celeste previously served as a First Nations Summit appointed Commissioner from 2011 to 2017. Celeste is Musqueam (Coast Salish) and Metlakatla (Tsimshian) from the Sparrow and Haldane families and has European ancestry.
Celeste is a practising lawyer and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2019. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, her specializations are in Indigenous law and corporate governance, and she previously practiced criminal defense and civil litigation. She is an active member of both the Indigenous Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association.
Chief Constable Adam Palmer
Adam Palmer took command as the 31st chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department in May 2015. Chief Palmer began his career with the VPD in 1987 and has since worked in a variety of operational, investigative, and administrative areas. He spent the first 13 years of his career working as a patrol officer in East Vancouver.
During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Chief Palmer was seconded to the Integrated Security Unit as the venue commander for the Pacific Coliseum where he oversaw the security for the figure skating and short track speed skating events.
He has been invested as a Member of the Order of Merit for the Police Forces by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada.
Brett Sandler
Brett is a Canadian and South African chartered accountant with 30 years of experience in the real estate and financial industries. He has been the group chief financial officer of Bosa Properties for the past 25 years.
Brett has been involved with the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver for 20 years in a variety of capacities, including on the Board of Directors, member of the Executive Committee, member of the Building Development Committee, and Treasurer, and he is a two-time past Sports Dinner Chair.
As a long time Jewish Community activist in Vancouver, 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 through his various fund raising activities and in his role with Bosa Properties.
Howard Blank
Howard Blank has an extensive background in the Entertainment, Media and Not For Profit sectors and serves as director and or advises on many public boards in BC. He also acts as ambassador for ZLC Financial, Innovative Fitness, and The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. Howard is founder and CEO of Point-Blank Entertainment Ltd. Over the past 25 years Howard has helped to raise over 1 billion dollars for charitable 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. He recently received the King’s Coronation Medal for his service to Canada at Government House in Victoria.
Howard was featured in Business in Vancouver’s BIV 500 as one of the top executives in British Columbia.
Thank You To All of Our Generous Sponsors and Donors
TITLE
PRESENTING
PLATINUM
GOLD
The Lutsky Families
SILVER
Doug and Lana Pulver Family Foundation
Gary Averbach & Family
The Lutsky Families
Alfonso & Lori Ergas
Stephanie Phillips & Brad Gross
Jonathan & Shannon Kallner
BRONZE
The Koffman Family
Alan & Candace Kwinter
PATRONS OF BETH ISRAEL
Darlene & Richard Ames
Martin & Janet Braverman
Shannon & Daniel Ezekiel
Marlene & Norman Franks
Rabbi Jonathan Infeld & Lissa Weinberger
Gail & Mickey James
Mark James
Sharon Kates
Eric & Tammy Lofstrom
Bob Markin
Michelle & Neil Pollock
Lori Satov & Rob Kraft
Elaine Schwartzman
Judy & Isaac Thau
FRIENDS OF BETH ISRAEL
Darlene & Richard Ames
Elspeth Flood & Harry Satanove
Elliot & Megan Laskin
Gerri & Mark London
Bernard Pinsky & Daniella Givon
Marcy Schwartzman & Larry Vinegar
Dr. Erik & Page Swartz
Sponsorship and Donorship
Be The Light has sponsorship opportunities at every level.
All donors and sponsors who support us with $1,200 or higher will be invited to an exclusive sponsor reception before the gala along with other perks including ticket packs, premium seating, and advertising..
Check out all the details below.
