Ohel gala honoree Jack Jaffa (center) receiving his award from (L–R) Councilman David Greenfield and Ohel presidium members Elly Kleinman, Irving Langer, Moishe Hellman, Mel Zachter, Jay Kestenbaum, David Brecher, and Sonny Ganger
Ohel gala honoree Jack Jaffa (center) receiving his award from (L—R) Councilman  David Greenfield and Ohel presidium members Elly Kleinman, Irving Langer, Moishe Hellman, Mel Zachter, Jay Kestenbaum, David Brecher, and Sonny Ganger
Ohel gala honoree Jack Jaffa (center) receiving his award from (L—R) Councilman
David Greenfield and Ohel presidium members Elly Kleinman, Irving Langer, Moishe Hellman, Mel Zachter, Jay Kestenbaum, David Brecher, and Sonny Ganger
Charles Schwartzapfel, Moishe Hellman, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Ari Jungreis, NYS Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz, NYC Councilman Rory Lancman, and David Mandel
Charles Schwartzapfel, Moishe Hellman, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Ari Jungreis, NYS Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz, NYC Councilman Rory Lancman, and David Mandel
L—R: Ohel gala honorees Joe Rubin of RDC  and architect Charles Schwartzapfel
L—R: Ohel gala honorees Joe Rubin of RDC
and architect Charles Schwartzapfel

1,100 Guests Inspired at 47th Annual Gala. A capacity crowd of 1,100 Ohel friends, supporters, and family members packed the grand ballroom of New York’s Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square on Sunday, November 20, to mark Ohel’s 47th annual gala, themed “If Ohel’s Walls Could Talk.”

Ohel’s new feature film, A Life Worth Living, addressed a vital issue that until recently has been cloaked in stigma–suicide in the community. This moving film of the Roth family’s personal struggle to help their son Jonathan, and their courage in speaking publicly in order to help others, drew a standing ovation. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who attended and viewed the film along with the guests, commended Dr. and Mrs. Roth and Ohel for confronting this important community issue.

Ohel also celebrated the steady progress on its new 100,000-square-foot Jaffa Family Campus, scheduled to open in 2017. This new building in the heart of Flatbush will enable Ohel to meet the ever-increasing diversity of needs in the community.

Ohel’s co-presidents, Moishe Hellman and Mel Zachter, thanked the Jaffa Family Campus builders, including the Jaffa family, Rubin Development and Construction (RDC), registered architect Charles Schwartzapfel, and Chani and Mendy Schreiber of AirMark. Representing the Jaffa Family Foundation, Jack Jaffa spoke movingly about his passion in “investing not just in a building but in the community.”

Harvey Kaylie, an esteemed friend and Ohel benefactor, felt investing in community is so important that he established the Harvey Kaylie $1 million match. Mr. Kaylie will match all contributions, up to $1 million, toward the Jaffa Family Campus.

The gala provided a wonderful opportunity to fondly remember Rabbi Harry and Dr. Elizabeth Rieder, Ohel vice-president and longtime board member. In their memory, their daughters Annette Rubin and Julie Pinczower dedicated the Rieder Mental Health Services Center. The Rieders were visionary advocates for members of our community with psychiatric and mental-health challenges who believed that every voice deserves to be heard. The Rieder Center will have a prominent place in Ohel’s new Jaffa Family Campus.

Mr. Bert and Mrs. Renee Gross and Mrs. Rose Pollak received the Parents Lifetime Advocacy Award for their four decades of tireless efforts on behalf of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Together with Ohel, they helped develop Ohel’s first residential facility for adults with psychiatric disabilities, creating a unique home of warmth and care. They broke barriers of stigma, forging a more inclusive community where people of all abilities can thrive.

Ohel extends profound thanks to all who attended the gala and contributed to the evening’s success. While Ohel serves the community, it is the community that supports Ohel, and in working together, the community is strengthened.

Video presentations shown at the gala, as well as videos of the event, can be viewed at ohelfamily.org/galavideos. To support Ohel’s important work transforming the lives of children and families, please visit www.ohelfamily.org/donate or call 718-972-9338.

Team Ohel Keeps on Running at TCS NYC Marathon. Sunday, November 6, was a bright, brisk fall day that presented people with two choices: to cozy up with hot chocolate and warm sweaters or try and conquer the TCS New York City Marathon. Among those intrepid enough to opt for the latter were a dozen dedicated and inspirational runners of Team Ohel. They run not for glory, but to help raise funds and awareness for Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services.

The race began on Staten Island and weaved through all five boroughs of New York, ending in Central Park. Throughout the race, New Yorkers cheered more than 51,000 runners as they made their way around the city, with music and with signs exhorting the runners to finish the world’s largest marathon. Team Ohel had some especially talented runners this year, including Solly Ellman (3:27), Yoni Hook (3:43), and Alan Klein (4:07), running impressive times.

Team Ohel had a special cheering section near mile 6 in Brooklyn, waving flags, high-fiving the runners, and giving them a boost of energy as they made their way to the finish line. Ohel runners come from all over–New Jersey, New York, Long Island, and Canada–and they all have personal stories inspiring them to run, whether it is for health, social, or charitable reasons. Special thanks to Coach David Roher, the Team Ohel trainer and real-life Iron Man. Says Roher, “Running the full 26.2 miles in my full Iron Man costume allowed me to interact with all kinds of people, especially children. Seeing their happiness reminded every step why I support Ohel.”

Team Ohel would just be a brand name without the continued help of its many supporters. “We are very appreciative of all of our runners’ significant fundraising efforts that benefit children and adults with disabilities, foster children, and [those] in domestic-violence shelters,” said Meital Cafri, event coordinator for Ohel. Cafri adds, “The continued support for Team Ohel is essential to providing life-changing services to those in need.” Ohel’s generous fundraisers were led by Alan Klein, Jeremy Lavitt, and Yoni Hook.

Ohel has collaborated with the TCS New York City Marathon since 2009 and started running with the United Airlines New York City Half-Marathon last year. Up next for Team Ohel are the New York Five Boro Bike Tour on May 1, the Ohel Xtreme Challenge on May 15, and the NYC Triathlon on July 16. If you’re interested in joining Team Ohel as a runner, biker, or fundraising supporter, please contact Meital Cafri at 718-686-3217 or meital_cafri@ohelfamily.org. Can’t wait for you to join the team!

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