Community Corner

The Chabad-Lubavitch Annual Gala

The Chabad-Lubavitch Annual Gala on January 29th at the Inn at Longshore in Westport will honor two prominent local couples, Ken and Allison Gruder of Fairfield and Brian and Leslie Gold of Westport, in celebration of the Center’s contribution to Jewish education and growth in Fairfield County.


Tickets for the Gala – which will include a cocktail hour and a silent auction – can be purchased through the Chabad office at 203-226-8584 or online by visiting ChabadofWestport.com.


“The gala is our big fundraiser for the year,” said Dina Kantor, Co-Director of the Center. “Significantly, it helps fund scholarships for our summer day camp, Camp Gan Israel, which we believe is especially critical in this economy. The Gala also subsidizes a whole series of educational programs at the Center.”

According to Kantor, the Center’s educational programs include, “…a new family library which will feature author events, children’s story time and Jewish literacy programs, a women’s adult Bat mitzvah Discovery course, iTeens classes, weekly women’s Torah study, Jewish Learning Institute adult education classes, Bar/Bat mitzvah tutoring, and parenting seminars, as well as a documentary on Jewish Life in Fairfield County being produced by the Center’s teen program.”

Rabbi Yehuda Kantor, Co-Director and spiritual leader of the Center, added, “How else can we grow but through education? At Chabad Lubavitch, we strive to pursue our vision of creating a Jewish learning and discovery center for people of all ages, regardless of level of observance, to explore the richness, depth and diversity of our heritage.”

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Rabbi Kantor noted that, “Jewish day camp has traditionally been one of the most successful forms of child education, and Camp Gan Israel enjoys a reputation as a pioneer in Jewish camping, with innovative ideas and creative activities both to provide enjoyment and inspire children to try new and exciting things.”

“It is particularly important that during these trying times we make this opportunity available to as wide a group of children as possible,” Rabbi Kantor added.

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The two local couples being honored, Allison and Ken Gruder of Fairfield and Leslie and Brian Gold of Westport have played vital roles in the Center’s mission of promoting education and growth.

“Ken, Allison, Brian and Leslie have made major impacts on the success of our programs – through their participation, leadership and generosity,” Rabbi Kantor said.

Allison and Ken Gruder are being honored with the “Community Service Award” in recognition of their service and dedication to the Center. Ken Gruder is a prominent local attorney with an office in Norwalk. His firm, Goldman Gruder & Woods, practices real estate and corporate law, as well as litigation. Allison Gruder is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing on Main Street in Westport.

Leslie and Brian Gold are being honored with the “Champion of Children Camp Gan Israel Award” in recognition of their participation and involvement with the camp. Brian is currently a research executive at Bridgewater Associates in Westport. In addition to Chabad,
Leslie is active with the Westport Young Woman's League, Temple Israel Caring Committee, and King's Highway Elementary School.


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