More than 140 guests were on hand to honor Gene and Fran Wittenberg and Rabbi Brahm and Elana Weinberg, all of West Hartford, at a gala fundraising dinner hosted by the Young Israel of West Hartford on Sunday, March 3 at the Lincoln Education Center in Hartford. Rabbi Weinberg, the synagogue’s spiritual leader, and his wife, Elana, were lauded for their leadership role in the community. The Wittenbergs, long-time Young Israel members, were lauded for their many years of volunteer service to the shul and the community.
The dinner raised more than $65,000 in donations from families and friends, business card ads and auction items.  The Zachs Family Foundation contributed an additional challenge grant of $5,000 that was matched by $6,500 of contributions.
In keeping with the evening’s theme “Celebrating Our Origins,” the dinner featured an elaborate dinner of foods from many European countries, and the presentation of a video tracing Hartford’s Jewish history dating back to the late 1800s, including the creation of the Young Israel.

Dinner honorees Fran and Gene Wittenberg (center) with their sons and daughters-in-law, Orit and Eric Wittenberg (left), and Scott and Daniella Wittenberg, holding grandson Benjamin

Rabbi Brahm and Elana Weinberg (center) with their parents, Lynn and Morrie Weinberg (left), and Miriam and Howard Rosenblum