by Valerie Sobel
(AJNews) – The May 4th annual gala event in Calgary did not disappoint. Over 400 attendees jam-packed the Carriage House Hotel ballroom for more of what they’ve come to expect over the years: CMDA stories of rescues and heroism along with fabulous entertainment.
Sharon Fraiman, Lenny Shapiro, Arlene Abitan, Sidney Benizri and Robin Murphy Shapiro.
The garden-themed gala, produced by Sharon Fraiman, CMDA Regional Director and Major Gifts, attracted dignitaries like MP Stephanie Kusie, numerous city councillors and MLA’s. Even Calgary’s own famous shark from the popular TV show “Shark Tank”, Brett Wilson, joined in and surprised everyone with an impromptu donation of $50,000.
The reception cocktail party around the silent auction featured violinist Steven Klevsky who, later in the evening, played the Schindler’s List theme on a lent Holocaust violin from the Amnon Weinstein’s Violins of Hope Collection.
The evening highlighted an internationally award-winning Calgary-based pianist, Dr. Thomas Yu, who together with Steinway Piano Gallery Calgary, donated their time, effort, instrument and talent to the CMDA fundraiser. Dr. Yu, also a renowned periodontist, wowed the audience with his virtuosity around colorful piano arrangements by Liszt and Gershwin.
The evening wouldn’t be complete without the special guests of honor, Israeli MDA leadership team of Uri Shacham , Raphael Herbst and Chaim Dagan, who shared incredible stories and a video of the life-saving work MDA does in Israel. Uri told a heroic and chilling story of Adam, a Druze MDA worker who went on to save many children’s lives seconds after watching his own daughter succumb to her wounds.
No Gala fundraiser would be complete without speeches. From Montreal, Arlene Abitan , National President, and Sidney Benizri, National Executive Director thanked the Calgary CMDA-supporting community of Jews and non-Jews for their unwavering stand behind Israel and CMDA. Arlene remarked on the warmth, togetherness and friendliness of the community as well as the kind reception she received as a first-time attendee of the Calgary gala.
Don Schapira, Terry Wong , MLA Ric McIver, Counc. Dan McLean, Sharon Fraiman, Uri Shacham, Andre Chabot, Chaim Dagan and Raphael Herbst.
Sharon Fraiman expressed particular gratitude to Lenny Shapiro and Faigel Shapiro, z’l, for their enduring friendship and ongoing backing of CMDA. Mr. Lenny Shapiro surprised all when he, in honor of his friend, Dr. Fanny Wedro z’l, pledged an ambulatory boat in addition to his gift of a pony (an electrical ambulatory vehicle ).
Other major gifts included three scooters by Cheryl Cohen, Darlene Switzer-Foster and the Sobel Family, and a large pledge by the Together For Israel Group of American and Canadian Jews and non-Jews.
Aside from the somber memories of October 7th on everyone’s mind, perhaps the most entertaining part of the evening involved the mind reading and mind influencing by the internationally known Israeli mentalist, Nevo Abutbul. Twenty-year old Nevo had the audience in awe and laughter as he perfectly guessed audience’s boyfriend and grade school teacher’s names, favorite two digit numbers, as well as a many other jaw-dropping feats.
The Gala evening, made more beautiful by gorgeous room decor and flower-decorated ladies in long gowns by designer Olga Sem, ended on the same note as it began; CMDA is an integral part of Israel’s survival and as fellow humans we carry a responsibility to ensure citizens of our beloved Israel have the best of ambulatory care, blood-bank options and life-saving equipment. Sharon Fraiman champions this cause with genuine passion, grace, and determination to inspire the Alberta community to donate and sell-out the gala fundraiser each and every year. We thank every supporter of Canadian Magen David Adom from the bottom of our hearts. Every dollar has made and will continue to make a difference to the life of our brothers and sisters in Israel.
Until next year…
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