Several leaders of the Connecticut Jewish community will be honored for their commitment to Jewish education and their dedication to community service at the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut Celebration Dinner, it was announced recently by dinner co-chairs, Taly and Trevor Farber and Amanda and Jasper Lewitton.

The gala dinner will be held Sunday evening, January 12, 2020, 5:30 p.m., at the Hilton Stamford Hotel. The theme of this year’s dinner is “Imagine. Design, Create,” based upon Exodus 31:4.

“Bi-Cultural’s pedagogy is multi-faceted,” said Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, Bi-Cultural Dean, in explaining the choice of this year’s theme. “This year’s dinner highlights one of these facets – learning through creativity and artistry. We celebrate the bonds that we establish in our lives and our Jewish community through the creativity and artistic sensibilities that activate our learning. Imbued with the spirit of God, Bezalel, the great artisan of the Bible, materialized the design of the Mishkan. Through his creativity and skill the Mishkan became a singular unit, an exemplar for the Jewish nation. This is what we celebrate at our 2020 Celebration dinner.”

The evening will pay tribute to Guests of Honor Elise and Steven Cohen of Stamford for their outstanding contributions to the pre-K through 12th grade National Blue Ribbon school, as well as to the Jewish community as a whole. 

In addition to the Cohens, Alice and Jason Janush will receive the school’s Community Service Award; Tina and Yossi Notik will receive the Young Leadership Award; and Laura Kassen will be honored with the Alumni Award. The Jane Shoztic Memorial Award, presented annually to an outstanding member of the Bi-Cultural staff, will be given to David Giver, head of the high school’s Humanities Department.

“We are honored to chair this year’s dinner celebrating the remarkable contribution that Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy continues to make to our community and the difference it has made in the lives of so many of our children. We look forward to welcoming the entire community to a wonderful evening,” said Taly Farber and Amanda Lewitton.

For more information, contact Rachel Cohen at rcohen@bcds.org or (203) 329-2186.

Main Photo: Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 2020 Celebration Dinner co-chairsAmanda Lewitton (left) and Taly Farber.