The Men’s Club of Congregation Ohev Shalom hosted an afternoon event on Sunday, May 22, 2022 to raise much needed funds for Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to leave their homes and flee their country amid the ongoing war with Russia. 120 people filled the social hall for this important event, paying $36-$72 per ticket to attend.
Mark Stone, a long-standing member of the congregation and a mentalist extraordinaire, donated his time to present his comedy and ESP show “MENTALMANIA”. Mark astounded the audience with his uncanny ability to read minds, make predictions and “see” with his fingertips while blindfolded. He engaged with the audience and performed his classic 53 card trick, telephone book listing determination and combining multiple numbers in columns and rows to add up to a predetermined number.
The committee presented 3 videos highlighting interviews with JCC of Krakow Executive Director Jonathan Ornstein on CNN, Congregation of Reform Judaism Rabbi Steven Engel on WESH-2, a local TV station, and a young girl named Claire singing Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love”, which brought tears to many in attendance. Rabbi Murray Ezring, COS Interim Rabbi, spoke about the injustice going on in the Ukraine in his opening remarks.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and donations were sent to the JCC of Krakow. The Men’s Club agreed to cover all the expenses.
The generosity of those who made donations was heartwarming. But I believe that one donation made stood out above the rest. The COS afternoon school donated $302 from their Tzedakah Fund, mostly in one-dollar bills. In all, the event raised over $11,500. Everyone left the event with feelings of sadness for the Ukrainian families and were pleased that the Men's Club organized the event to raise both awareness and much needed funds.