As a community, we are pretty predictable. While we work, travel and play plenty, culture seems to have taken a back seat for many of us. This year, for the Hillel Yeshiva fundraiser, Sally and Ralph Tawil did their part to change that, at least for a few days. From the start it was clear that this event was going to be spectacular.
Accompanying the hand-delivered invitation was a beautiful coffee table book on art and artists. This was the perfect way to warm up their intended audience for the lesson to come. Then, turning their home on Elberon Avenue into a virtual museum, the Tawils ensured that the most exquisite and rare works of art, both painted and sculpted, made their way here to our little summer enclave and drew a crowd that was both amazed and generous.
Brilliance
As pioneers, the committees that run Hillel have been building from scratch since the day that they opened. Young, innovative and always creative, they have been at the forefront of fundraising from day one. Beginning with the very first Chinese Auction so many years ago, to the hundreds of events, bake sales and raffles that have followed, Hillel never disappoints.
Endurance
For this event, Hillel brought in the finest of the lot with tremendous gratitude to both the Mugrabi family and Eddie and Sue Mishan. The Mugrabis attend about 100 art auctions annually and own a very valuable private collection.
In this economy one might shy away from grand purchases such as paintings or sculptures and yet, in the last 20 years art has retained its value stronger than real estate, stock and most business ventures. When asked to explain why he buys, Alberto Mugrabi explained, “When the empires fall —Roman, Greek—all that is left is the art.”
Grandeur
Throughout the majestic home, there were watercolors by Marc Chagall, sculptures by Keith Haring, oils by Jean-Michel Basquiat, acrylics by Richard Prince, silkscreen by Kenny Sharf, canvases by Damian Hirst and even diamond dust by Andy Wharhol. Topping it off was our very own community artist, Irene Mamiye, overwhelming the crowd with her extraordinarily bright and bold photographs.
Historic
The entire second floor was filled with Israeli Impressionist oils on canvas brought in by Avi Polanski offering a breathtaking view of Biblical events, Jewish life and modern religious sites. Downstairs, with thanks to Shuki Freiman, Swed Masters Workshop and Judaica Illuminations, sterling surrounded and astounded us with its intricate construction and magnificent presentation.
Opulence
To complete the experience, Ralph invited Josh Schupak, an exclusive dealer of kosher wines. On a breezy summer evening, what could be more luxurious than browsing around a beautiful home, enjoying a delicious glass of premium wine, ogling a handpicked selection of this century’s finest art, and knowing that all of this is to benefit the school you care about most?
Inspiring
With people thanked, awards given, and donations made, the evening was complete, but the story was not. Charlotte Cohen, event coordinator and Hillel parent has worked hand in hand with the school for over 30 years bringing us the most fantastic and meticulous experiences in fundraising. Asked what her inspiration is, she explains, “The children and their needs. The success of my children and grandchildren is due in most part to Hillel. It goes full circle, what we put in, we get out. I am so proud to be a part of this family and the education that they provide; my loyalty will always be with Hillel.”
Connecting
Charlotte is not the only “family” member walking tall. Dr. Gayle Krost, a Hillel graduate and valedictorian, mom of four, and board member for 15 years, was magnificently recognized in a speech made by her brother Jeffrey, “On top of managing a home, caring for her family and running a busy endodontic practice, she took on the role of Chairman of the Board of Education for Hillel. Not only has she taken on the role, but with the help of her fellow board members she has transformed Hillel into a model of academic excellence that is essential for the success of our children. She has successfully reshaped our educational landscape and it now serves as a model for others to follow.”
According to Sammy Saka, Hillel President, Gayle has single-handedly helped to ignite and raise the level of education at Hillel. According to Gayle, it is most definitely a team effort. “Hillel is such a big part of my life. I feel like I was a part of something so special, and I wanted to give that to my kids. My involvement was so natural, to be a part of it, to make it better, for me it was like helping my family.”
Educating
Gayle most definitely did help. Together with Sammy, Alan Shamah, Abe Cohen, and Isaac Massry, among others, this dynamic team set new goals hoping to reverse a huge deficit, become financially responsible and to provide a seamless education from nursery through 12th grade that was one they could be proud of. The addition of Dr. Ruth Katz, Rabbi Howard Bald and so many new teachers along the way helped tremendously as well. They wanted to make education better, and with new blood, new people and new energy it was clear that they would succeed.
Enlightening
The proof, it turns out, is in the pudding. Hillel Yeshiva is a member of the National Honor Society. Nearly one third of the students are members in good standing. In any given year 96 to 100% of Hillel students have gone on to college. In the last decade Hillel students have been accepted to MIT, Yale, Columbia, Barnard, Tufts, Brown, Emory, George Washington, Duke and John Hopkins. As recently as this year students have been accepted to Princeton, NYU, Rutgers Honors, SUNY at Binghamton, Boston University, and Yeshiva University. In addition, Hillel Yeshiva Boys Varsity Softball Team has won the Yeshiva Championship two years in a row.
Genius
On the night of the event, Hillel brought culture to the community in an exquisite way. Charlotte Cohen called the night, “Refined and classic.” Sammy Saka summed it up, “Perfection—a smashing success.”
Sally and Ralph Tawil, hosts of the evening, could not have been more pleased, “Reflecting back on this special night in Hillel Yeshiva history, we are overwhelmed with gratitude to our guests, the true champions of the evening. For it was not the masterpieces, the gorgeous silver, or the fine wine that made the evening so outstanding. It was our dedicated and committed supporters who demonstrated their unwavering support for our school. We are honored to have been a part of this unforgettable evening.”
Tomorrow
It was an evening of beauty and charm that will not be forgotten for many years to come. Art is so many things: it is brilliance, endurance, grandeur and opulence. It is inspiring, connecting, educating and enlightening. Sometimes, it is even genius, and always, it will be here tomorrow. You see, culture isn’t half bad!
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Sophia Franco, wife and mother of four, is in the midst of publishing her first children’s book, "Ups and Downs and Turns So Wide," about kids dealing with our changing economic times.
