OPENING NIGHT Co-chairs Barbara Caplan and Deanne Rubinstein with Jewish gospel artist Joshua Nelson.

JENNIFER GREENBERG

Opening Night: They danced in the isles

By PAUL HAIST

article created on: 2008-11-15T00:00:00

“These are extraordinarily difficult times, but the goal to fund our causes and to help our fellow Jews remains the same,” said Michael Weiner, co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland 2009 Annual Campaign.

Weiner was addressing the federation’s annual Opening Night celebration—the annual campaign kickoff event—held the evening of Nov. 9 at the Governor Hotel.

Weiner was acknowledging the sharp economic downturn in America and around the world and its potential impact on charitable giving and, more importantly, the additional hardship it may bring to the most vulnerable members of communities here and elsewhere.

He said he hoped “we can continue to help people around the world,” but “local needs will be receiving the utmost priority.”

Calling tzedakah “the brightest mitzvah,” Weiner expressed optimism for the campaign’s success.

“I have a feeling of quiet hope that our goals will be met,” he said. “We are responsible, one for another and we are Jews.”

Noting that the federation is cutting its budget in these difficult times, he called on all present to dig deeper than they have in the past.

“Please give more than you think you can,” he adjured the approximately 300 persons who packed the hotel’s main ballroom. Attendance was about the same as last year’s Opening Night.

The evening, whose theme was “Rock Your Soul” and featured African-American Jewish gospel phenom Joshua Nelson, began with a hosted reception and time to renew old acquaintances.

When the evening’s program began, Opening Night Co-chair Deanne Rubinstein welcomed everyone. She thanked her Co-chair Barbara Caplan and the entire event committee and singled out presenting underwriter Morgan Stanley whose support, she said, made the evening possible “without taking any money from our campaign.”

Before introducing Rabbi Emanuel Rose who would deliver Ha Motzi, Rubinstein also expressed her gratitude to federation staff and especially to JFGP Events Planner Jennifer Greenberg.

Rose, emeritus rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, prefaced Ha Motzi with extended remarks on America’s recent watershed presidential election.

He likened the meaning of the election for African Americans to what the creation of the modern state of Israel meant for Jews.

“We all hope that a campaign that restored a dream and kindled a light can be transformed into the life of the people,” said Rose.

He turned at last to the federation’s Annual Campaign.

Pointing to ever greater needs, he said “Tonight we remind ourselves of the role of federation, as he called on all present “to do the best they can to meet those needs.”

The evening concluded with Nelson’s performance, accompanied by the Kosher Gospel Singers.

At one point in the performance, Nelson, clad in brightly colorful robes, invited JFGP Executive Vice President Charles R. Schiffman onto the stage to perform with him.

Throughout the performance many of those in the audience—young and old—did not resist the urge to stand up and dance singly and in groups. At one point they formed a long hora chain that nearly encompassed the perimeter of the spacious ballroom.