Feb 1st 2008, 00:00

So, how wonderful was the gala dinner honoring Rabbi Haim and Elaine Asa? It was so wonderful that it was the most attended event in TBT history, and it raised more pledges in one evening than has ever been done before in one day. Most importantly, it was a near perfect night and every nice jword and honor that was bestowed upon Haim and Elaine was richly deserved.

Many dedicated hard-working people helped to put that beautiful evening together in a very short period of time. However, hands down, the event would not have taken place, or if it had would not have been so well planned, without the talents of two very special people. Sandy Wager and Rachael Wager-LaCross cannot be thanked enough for their efforts. Sandy and Rachael are Ways and Means co-vice-presidents. As such they are charged with raising funds to supplement Temple income used for operational purposes. It was their idea to hold the gala dinner for that purpose. Project Legacy is outside of our regular operations and Sandy and Rachael were asked to switch the purpose of the dinner. They graciously agreed to do so and to help us. Doing so not only took the event away from Ways and Means, but the tremendous amount of time they spent meant less time could be spent on Casino Night, which yearly is our most important operations fund-raiser.

A perfect way to thank them for their tremendous effort is for everyone that enjoyed the Asa dinner to support Casino Night. Not only will all that attend have a fun night, but a real treat is in store for you when you enter our newly beautified social hall. New carpeting, new roof, new paint, new dance floor, and brand new windows will enhance the enjoyment of any event held at our Temple.

I know I will forget someone, but thanks again to all that made our Gala evening so memorable. Co-chair Henry Cohen was, among other things, responsible for the great video presentation we had. Co-chair Lila Pesner, worked with invitations, the guest list, and anything else that was needed. Miriam Van Raalte, as usual, did a multitude of tasks. The centerpiece brigade: Sheri Weitzman, Denise Schwartz, Evelyn Bell, Shari Rosen, Loryn Cocos, and Fay Fox made the ballroom more festive (I still have glitter all over the house). Thanks to Master of Ceremonies Mark Filowitz, Ben Berkley and all the Table Captains and to all who volunteered on the night of the event.

One last thanks. To the 470+ congregants, friends, peers, and Asa family members that attended the event. You are the ones that really made that evening one that Haim, Elaine, and all the rest of us will never forget. Your outpouring of love and your generous support of their dream, the Asa Center for Lifetime Jewish Learning, bring us closer to that day when Haim affixes a new mezuzah to the front door of what will be our beautiful new building. On that day, our Legacy to our children's children and Temple Beth Tikvah's future will surely be secured.