April 1, 2014
Wendy & Colin, Your continued dedication to Aish Minnesota and the Jewish community has truly been an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your service and support of Aish. it is truly a pleasure to work with you and have you involved with Aish. We look forward to a brilliant future with your leadership and ongoing inspiration! President: Chaim Fink Executive Board: Mitch Chargo Meyer Silverberg Fondly, Aish Minnesota Board of Directors: Steve Baldinger Stuart Chazin Nicole Fink Jack Fiterman Toni Hults Bob Karon Jessica Kutoff Howard Paster Brian Pergament Scott Seiler
To Wendy & Colin, Mazal Tov on your more-than-deserved honor. Your support, dedication, and commitment to growth, coupled with your unwavering dedication to the jewish people, has been a true inspiration to us all. Your friendship and love has been a true source of blessing for our family and the community at large. With wishes of brocha to you and your beautiful family Love, Dovid, Giti, Moshe, Yitzi, Chana Basha and Kayli Fredman Photo by Leslie Parker
Diamond Sponsors Nicole & Chaim Fink Platinum Sponsors Anonymous Rachel & Derek Smith Gold Sponsors Anonymous Sally & Mike Abrams Barbara Anderson & Irvin Kessler Bonnie & Steve Lazar Dedee & Stephen Lovell Leslie & Andy Parker Heidi & Brian Pergament Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation Lynne & Andy Redleaf Jodi & Danny Rosen The Zweigbaums Silver Sponsors Bruce Fink Sheri & Steve Lear Ellen Reinheimer & Barry Lovell SeilerSchindel, PLLC
Bronze Sponsors Romy & Stuart Ackerberg Wendy & Steve Baldinger Crown Bank Amy, Jack, Linda, and Mike Fiterman Gurstel Chargo Family Philanthropic Fund Stefanie & Bob Karon & CBIZ Wendy & Nisso Khabie Gitty & Mark Kutoff Jessica & Dovid Kutoff Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP Tali & Warren Newfield Jeff Schachter Baila & Meyer Silverberg Barbara & Todd Striker Copper Sponsors Anonymous Marlys & Elliott Badzin Nina & Bryan Badzin Tricia & David Cofman Liba & Jeffrey Herman Amara & David Kaiyalethe Sarah & Paul Karon Gail & Joel Tilsner Jill & Yarden Wolfe
Community Sponsors Rabbi Alexander Davis Rabbi Avi Olitzky Cantor Audrey Abrams John Orenstein, President, Beth El Synagogue Linda Goldberg, Executive Director, Beth El Synagogue
In-Kind Sponsors
COLIN AND WENDY OUR RABBIS SAY, ON THREE THINGS THE WORLD STANDS. ON TORAH, ON SERVICE [OF GOD], AND ON ACTS OF HUMAN KINDNESS. PIRKE AVOT 1:2 WE CAN T SAY IT LOUD ENOUGH OR OFTEN ENOUGH, YOUR COMMITMENT TO AISH MINNESOTA, LEADERSHIP, TIME AND EFFORT ARE UNMATCHED. AS YOU HAVE GROWN YOURSELVES, YOU HAVE SELFLESSLY SHARED YOUR TIME AND RESOURCES, AND YOU HAVE HELPED MANY FAMILIES FIND A DEEPER MEANING OF JUDAISM IN THEIR LIVES. FEW KNOW OR REALIZE THE COUNTLESS HOURS YOU HAVE SPENT, THE ENORMITY OF EFFORT AND SINCERE DEDICATION YOU HAVE SHOWN IN YOUR THOUGHTFUL AND UNRELENTING DESIRE FOR US TO SUCCEED AND GROW AS AN ORGANIZATION. YOU HAVE TRULY MADE THE DIFFERENCE. WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU ON THE BOARD, WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY AND MOST OF ALL WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS OUR FRIENDS. YOUR FAMILY SHOULD BE BLESSED, PROSPER AND CONTINUE TO GROW IN ALL WAYS! HASHEM SHOULD GIVE YOU LONG LIVES AND GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO BE BLESSED BY YOU! WITH GREAT LOVE, CHAIM, NICOLE, NEEV, SOPHY AND EMMA BENJAMIN-FINK AND YOUR FRIENDS AT TAMAR FINK, INC.
Mazel Tov to Colin and Wendy on this great honor! Thank you to Rabbi and Giti Fredman for bringing such a high level of spirituality and scholarship to our community. We look forward to many years together! Leslie & Andy Parker Jodi & Danny Rosen
Wendy and Colin, We so appreciate all you do for Klal Yisroel. Minneapolis is so fortunate to have friends like you. May you continue to be a source of inspiration for this community and to your family. ~Steve and Bonnie Lazar You both provide a matchless example of leadership and menschlikeit. Our community is blessed to have you. Especially grateful for your role in making the Israel Leadership Fellows program a reality. ~Sally and Mike Abrams
Wendy and Colin, Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor Lynne and Andy Redleaf Wendy and Colin, Mazel Tov to a wonderful family, generous community members, and great friends! Love, Elly and Mike Zweigbaum
Mazel Tov Colin and Wendy. Your leadership and involvement are so inspiring to us. Thank you for your dedication. We are blessed to have you as our dear friends. ~Heidi and Brian Pergament Wendy & Colin, Mazel Tov on this tremendous honor. AISH MN and the people it serves are truly blessed by your leadership and direction Thank you for all you do. ~Alexis and Scott
Mazel Tov on this honor. You are wonderful role models for our community and we treasure your friendship. ~All our love, The Chargo Family Kudos to Bonnie Lazar for her inspiration and creativity on bringing the Q to the Aish benefit. Mazel Tov to Rabbi Dovid and Giti Fredman for their leadership to the Jewish community at large. ~Gail and Joel Tilsner Mazal Tov Wendy and Colin! ~Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC
Congratulations Wendy & Colin! Congratulations Wendy and Colin. Thank you for all you do for the community. ~Wendy & Steve Baldinger Mazal Tov on all of your wonderful contributions to Aish and the Jewish community and making Aish Minnesota such a successful organization. ~Bob & Stefanie Karon and CBIZ Wendy & Colin, Your devoted dedication and enthusiasm on behalf of AISH, truly ignites our Jewish Journey while enriching the entire Jewish community. May this flame remain bright and continue to inspire, illuminate and impact others, and awaken the Jewish journey Hashem intended each of us to pursue. Mazel Tov to you both on this most deserving honor. ~Barbara and Todd Striker
With gratitude and appreciation to Colin and Wendy for all the work you do for Aish and the Jewish Community. Thank you both! ~Jeffrey and Liba Herman Zweigbaum Mazel Tov to our friends Wendy and Colin! With much admiration, ~Nina and Bryan Badzin Mazel Tov to Wendy and Colin on this well deserved honor. Your leadership helps make our community shine. May your actions continue to serve as an inspiration to others. ~Your friends at NCJW Minneapolis Colin and Wendy Congratulations on your wonderful honor! Your commitment to Aish and our community are spectacular! ~Stuart & Romy Ackerberg Mazel Tov Colin & Wendy. We are proud to call you our friends! May you & Aish continue to go from strength to strength. ~Jack, Amy, Mike, and Linda Fiterman
Aish MN 2013 Benefit
All photos by Leslie Parker
In honor of our friends and supporters Colin and Wendy Smith: Two people who give of themselves through their physical and financial benevolence to increase the honor of G-d through Aish Minnesota and Aish Jerusalem. They are a paragon of virtue and a shining example to all who know them. We wish you and your family continued hatzlacha and success. May you, your family and Aish Minnesota continue to thrive with much brocha. Rabbi Hillel Weinberg Dean Aish Jerusalem
Dear Colin and Wendy, Your dedication support and beautiful character are an inspiration to all who know you. Aish Minnesota and Aish International are blessed to have you as one of their most cherished partners. Looking forward to being able to accomplish much more together for the Jewish people. Eric Coopersmith and Ephraim Shore Aish HaTorah Jerusalem View of the Western Wall from the Aish HaTorah Jerusalem Building
Wendy & Colin - Mazal tov on this richly deserved honor. May you from strength to strength! Yashar kochachem! ~Shira and Ron Krebs and family Wendy and Colin, Congratulations to both of you on this well-deserved honor. We are sorry we cannot be there in person to pay tribute to you. You both have a zest for life and an enthusiasm which is contagious. In short, you are fun to be around because you exude love. We feel so lucky to be a part of your family and we miss having you nearby. Looking forward to celebrating other simchas with you in the future. Enjoy your evening. ~Much love, Hope, Joshua, Rebecca, Gabriel, and Ezra Congratulations WENDY and COLIN! You have brightened our lives and our community with your generous loving spirit and open heart! ~Jodi and Jason Rein
Congratulations Colin and Wendy You are true inspiration to us all. ~Love, Susan and Gabe Wendy and Colin, Mazel Tov on this wonderful simcha! This honor is very well deserved as the two of you and your family are so involved in the Jewish community and in supporting community agencies, but most importantly because you are remarkably special people and friends. You are an exceptional role model to your family and friends. We are proud of you, we commend you for your commitment and are truly fortunate to have you in our lives. ~Lots of love, Joey, Danny, Kyla, Cole & Andre Dear Colin and Wendy, MAZOL TOV! You are a blessing to our community! Debbie and Gil Mann Jerry and Louise Ribnick Michael and Nancy Schoenberger Dan and Mindy Ribnick
Your loving relationship, your wonderful children, your extended family & your total involvement in the community are all examples to others of how to lead a meaningful life. You two are amazing leaders of this community. ~Jerry and Louise & Family Mazel Tov on your wonderful honor! ~Anthony & Chana Zucker Wendy and Colin Your commitment to Judaism and to the community is inspiring. May you go from strength to strength! ~Miriam Charney
Wendy and Colin Todah raba for all that you do for Aish and to support the Twin Cities Jewish Community. And yashar koach for being honored this evening. ~Yaffa Cohen-Appelbaum and Mark Appelbaum To Wendy & Colin: Each of you brings an incredibly important piece to the amazing fabric that forms our Jewish Community. Our community is so very blessed to have each of you actively involved both in your own unique and special ways. Mazal Tov and continued success and nachas! ~Micki & Mort Naiman Mazel Tov to Wendy and Colin on this well-deserved honor! Hakarat Hatov for your dedication to Israel, the Jewish people and our community. ~Simon and BJ Goldman & Family
Mazel Tov Wendy & Colin! Thank you for your commitment to the Jewish people and your leadership in our community. Love from Baltimore, ~Amy & Mark Rotenberg Wendy and Colin The two of you are the embodiment of grace, humility, warmth, generosity and sincerity. Whenever we are with you our joy is increased. You light up the souls that surround you just by being your relaxed and good-natured selves. We are all grateful for the blessings you have brought to this community. We love you. ~Judy & Jeff The purpose of the laws of Torah...is to bring mercy, loving-kindness and peace upon the world. -- Maimonides Wendy & Colin, thank you for all that you bring to our community! ~Seth, Christine, Caleb & Sasha Hausman
Thank you very much for your commitment to our community. Your leadership and generosity strengthens us both as individuals and as a community. ~Stacy, Brad, Julia, Jake and Allison Birnberg Wendy and Colin Mazel Tov on an extraordinarily well deserved honor. Your commitment to our community is unwavering and is a model to us all. We all thank you for your generosity of your time and resources. While it is unfortunate that we can not be there this evening, we wanted you to know how thrilled we are for you and your family. ~Tony, Beth, Ben, Isabel and Addie Gleekel In Honor of Colin & Wendy Smith We are inspired by your dedication and commitment to bringing people closer to Judaism. ~Albert & Chaya Miller
Congratulations! We cannot think of a more deserving couple to honor. You always make Family and Judaism a priority in your lives. You set a great example for younger (and older) members of our community. ~Linda & Mike Platt Wendy & Colin Your love, commitment, and passion for Judaism is inspirational. You are truly dugmaot for this community. Mazel Tov on a well deserved honor. ~Schoenberger 6 For the many ways you bless our community and for the many ways you include Ronen in the life of your family, we thank you. Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor. ~Tamar Fenton & David Pink Mazel Tov to Wendy and Colin What a wonderful event for a fabulous couple! ~Vicki and Rich Shapiro
Dear Wendy and Colin, Mazal Tov! This is a great merit! keep up the awesome work! ~Love, Josh Boretsky Mazal Tov from Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits and all your friends at The Jerusalem Kollel Mazel Tov Wendy and Colin on this wonderful honor. ~Barrie, Steve, Sam, Dani, and Noah Orloff Wendy and Colin Mazal Tov B ahavah. ~Amy, David, and Yoni Lui
Colin & Wendy, Mazel Tov! Thank you for all you do! ~Much Love, Julie & David Burton Wendy and Colin ~ Mazel Tov! The Jewish community is lucky to have you both! ~Francine Gersh From strength to strength. You are truly deserving of this honor. Mazel Tov. ~Peggy & Joel Mandel Mazel Tov to Colin and Wendy. May you and your family continue to grow in your connection to Torah ~JB and Racheli
Mazel Tov on this wonderful honor! ~Todd and Amy Geller We re so sorry we can t be there for your special night. Have a wonderful time. ~Love, Susie and Brad Melnick Mazal Tov to Wendy and Colin Smith ~from the Grads Congratulations Wendy and Colin! ~The Burke Family An inspiring couple who do so much for the Jewish people. Colin - you are a great study partner and an almost great ping pong player! ~Aryeh and Adina Cohen
Mazel Tov Mr. and Mrs. Colin Smith Aish HaTorah Banquet Honorees Your deep concern for the future of the Jewish people and your commitment to enhancing the role of Torah in the community are an inspiration to all of us who work to reconnect our community to its Torah roots. Minneapolis Community Kollel Rabbi Chaim S. Gibber Rabbi Eliyahu Stern Mazel Tov Colin and Wendy on this most deserving honor. From all your teammates at the Kollel Marc Grossfield Noam Jaffa Mark Kutoff Albert Miller Ross Paskoff Brian Pergament Alex Portnoy Mike Zweigbaum
Mazel Tov to Wendy and Colin Smith on this well-deserved honor. From the Board and Staff of Jewish Family and Children s Service of Minneapolis. The Board of Directors and Staff of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas thank Wendy and Colin Smith for their exemplary commitment and support to Jewish life and community, here and abroad. Congratulations to AISH Minnesota for a wonderful event. Wendy and Colin, thank you for all that you do. We are so fortunate to have you as part of our community. Your friends at the Sabes JCC Mazal Tov to Wendy and Colin! Your contribution to the Jewish Community goes well beyond sending your children to HMJDS.
Thank you to Aish for your tireless work helping Jews connect to torah and our community. In admiration of Colin and Wendy Smith. Your dedication to Torah, personal growth and your family set an example for all of us. Torah academy
Dear Colin and Wendy, On behalf of Knesseth Israel Congregation, a hearty Mazel Tov on your being honored at Aish Minnesota s Annual Benefit. The seriousness and dedication, the way you feel and live as Jews is an inspiration. It is a fitting honor to a family that truly lives the ideals of the organization. We are grateful for all of your effort, energy and accomplishments on behalf of our community and Aish. May Hashem smile on you and your family with a life of joy, happiness, nachas and inspiration. Rabbi Mordechai Kalatsky Ned Kantar - President
Mazal tov to our dear friends Wendy and Colin Smith! Rabbi Alexander Davis Rabbi Avi Olitzky Cantor Audrey Abrams John Orenstein, President, Beth El Synagogue, Linda Goldberg, Executive Director, Beth El Synagogue Congratulations Wendy & Colin! Your commitment to Jewish life & learning is a true inspiration! From your friends at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation Building the Jewish community of the future. For more than 80 years, the Minneapolis Jewish Federation has worked with people and partners across the globe to build a vibrant, inclusive and supportive Jewish community. We nurture Jewish life and learning, help those in need and build connections with Israel and Jews around the world. For more information on the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and our work go online to: www.jewishminneapolis.org or see our work live, in real time by visiting www.mapyourimpact.org. #LiveJewish f jewishminneapolis t jewishmpls
In recognition of Colin & Wendy Smith and their commitment to the Jewish community. The Board of Directors & Staff of Sha arim Wendy & Colin are special people who opened up their homes to create a warmer community. THANK YOU for all you do Steve & Sheri Lear
Mazel tov Wendy and Colin on this well deserved honor! When we think of the two of you, we think of a team that is devoted to Judaism and sharing the beauty of our heritage with others. Colin, you are a prince whose refined nature is a walking kiddush Hashem. Your love and quest for the truth is inspiring. Wendy, your warm and kind character truly made us feel welcome throughout our transition to Minneapolis! You are a person whose main focus is family and furthering the causes of the Jewish family at large. May the two of you go from strength to strength and share in only joy, nachas and success in every area of your lives! Mordechai and Tzipporah Leah Kalatsky In Honor of Wendy and Colin Smith Your kindness, sensitivity, and strong Jewish identity have impacted so many in the community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Suri Gibber Bais Yaakov High School of the Twin Cities
Thank you to Rabbi Kupfer and NCSY for making our game a success tonight! Josh Burton Isaac Stone Isaac Greebwood Michelle Peysakhovich Toviya Slager Henry Goldman Aaron Burton Tobiah Markowitz Max Segal Natasha Zucker A special Thank Q to these young ladies for helping with our Q decor: Shira Cohen Bracha Greenberg Gitti Jaffa Shira Mandelbaum Hendel Prero Rivka Rabinowitz Atara Spar Elisheva Vorotinov Baila Weinberg Sheva Miller Huvi Weinberg Talia Oman Yehudis Kutoff Noa Singer Hodaya Afenzer Leah Braunstein Danielle Portnoy
Aish Minnesota wants to thank the numerous people that made this night a success*! Bonnie Lazar & Jennie Teichman Benefit Co-Chairs Rabbi David & Giti Fredman Rabbi & Rebbetzin Larissa Berenberg Julie Carpenter Sue Chargo Amy Cytron Tanya Farber Laurie Jaffa Wendy Khabie Peggy Mandel Alina Portnoy Baila & Meyer Silverberg Gabe Silverberg Beckie Skelton Rhonda Stein Erica Strohl Jeff Victor Judy Victor Chana Zucker Elly Zweigbaum *we apologize for the inevitable person who was either accidentally missed or volunteered after the printing of this journal. Thank you to our 2014 Annual Benefit Host Committee Amy & Todd Cytron Wendy & Nisso Khabie Bonnie & Steve Lazar Leslie & Andy Parker Alina & Alex Portnoy Louise & Steven Schoenberger Jennie & Steve Teichman Judy & Jeff Victor
Photo by Leslie Parker We feel so blessed and honored to be a part of this fantastic Jewish Community and thank you to all of you who have supported this event tonight! Your involvement and participation reminds us of how much we adore this community! We are especially grateful to Bonnie Lazar and Jennie Teichman who worked tirelessly to make this fabulous night possible. Thank You! And, of course, Rabbi David and Giti Fredman, we are so lucky to have you in our Minneapolis Jewish Community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Colin and Wendy
Entrée to Judaism: NOT JUST BEYOND NOT JUST AND EXPLORE THE EVOLUTION OF JEWISH FOOD THROUGH HISTORY Tina Wasserman, best selling cookbook author of Entrée to Judaism and Entrée to Judaism for Families, will take you on a journey to discover how our culinary traditions LQȵXHQFHG ZRUOG FXLVLQH DIWHU WKH H[SXOVLRQ RI WKH -HZV IURP 6SDLQ )LQG RXW DERXW WKH SRVVLEOH ELEOLFDO OLQN WR D EUDLGHG FKDOODK IRU VKDEEDW WKH 0HGLHYDO RULJLQV RI NUHSODFK WKH UHDO VWRU\ EHKLQG SUXQH +DPDQWDVKHQ DQG PDQ\ PRUH FXOLQDU\ WDOHV &RPH OHDUQ WKH KLVWRU\ RI RXU IRRG 0RVW LPSRUWDQWO\ \RX ZLOO EH DEOH WR VDPSOH XQLTXH VLGH GLVKHV WR DGG WR \RXU +LJK +ROLGD\ WDEOH Save the Date! Tina Wasserman best selling cookbook author of Entree to Judaism and Entree to Judaism for Families Wednesday, September 10th Sabes JCC 7-9pm