The ballroom of the Stamford Hilton was filled to capacity on Sunday evening, May 21, to pay tribute to the past, present and future of Bi-Cultural Day School at the annual BCDS Celebration Dinner.

BCDS head of school Jackie Herman presents Jenny Fuchs with the school’s Young Leadership Award. Fuchs and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four boys: one BCDS alum and three current BCDS students.

In keeping with the dinner’s theme, “Blessed,” the gala evening celebrated the school’s numerous accomplishments over the course of its 61-year history, and honored several community leaders including: Guest of Honor Shoshana Dweck, the parent of three BCDS alumni; BCDS alum Rachel Rothman, who received the BCDS Community Service Award; Jenny Fuchs, who received the BCDS Young Leadership Award; Bi-Cultural physical education teacher Coach Joe Nealon, who received the Jane Schoztic Memorial Award; and Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, who received the BCDS Alumni Award.

“I am a better parent because of the lessons I learned from the gifted and caring teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers of BCDS. There is so much talent, so much love, so much respect – all fueled by Yiddishkeit and a drive for excellence,” Dweck told those gathered as she accepted her award.

“We chose Bi-Cultural as our school for many reasons, including the deep Zionism that runs through its veins. What we found was so much more: a family and a community,” she added.

The evening was also highlighted by the presentation of the inaugural Morton G. Scheraga President’s Award to Kamal Haron. Presented to Haron by BCDS President David Pitkoff, the award “recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the growth of Bi-Cultural Day School, the Stamford community and klal Yisrael.”

Among the evening’s entertainment, dinner guests enjoyed a musical performance by the school’s 8th graders, who were newly returned from their month-long school-sponsored trip to Israel and brought with them to the dinner the spirit of the Jewish state.

“It was an absolutely beautiful evening,” said Bernstein who, in addition to receiving the Alumni Award serves as deal of BCDS, “the dinner chairs created a beautiful evening, bringing together the school parents, friends and family of the honorees, community leaders, faculty and administration in recognition of the critical role BCDS plays in the strength and continuity of our greater Stamford Jewish community.”

CAP: BCDS Celebration Dinner chairs (l to r) Avi and Dani Kwalwasser, and Meg and Yoav Haron.