Circle of Friends Dinner Journal 2010

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Program Vahavta L’rayacha Kamocha- “Love Your Fellow As Yourself” Leviticus 19:18 Buffet Dinner - Chinese Auction Greetings Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk “The Voices of The Circle of Friends” Video Presentation, Thoughts from a Special Friend Ariel Levy From Our Volunteers, Sam Zorfas Amanda Shepard Fellowship Awardees Susan Robison, Volunteer Coordinator On behalf of our families, Howard Lipper In Appreciation, Freida Hecht Presentation of Volunteer Awards Attorney General of Connecticut, Mr. Richard Blumenthal Viennese Table Desserts Auction Drawing

Our Mission YACHAD - Circle of Friends provides a wide array of innovative programming promoting a greater awareness and understanding of both the unique needs and the unique gifts of people with special needs and encourages respect and empathy for those facing difficult challenges.

The children and families benefit from weekly home visits and monthly recreational group programming. Children, teens and adults with special needs celebrate the holidays with exciting, interactive programs that bring to life the spirit and richness of the Jewish traditions.

For our teen volunteers, The Circle of Friends aims to create an environment that will nurture and inspire their volunteer experience with meaning, purpose and self-value; a sense of connection to and responsibility for the greater community.

Our Programs •Home With Friends •Sunday Circle •Teen Scene •Adult Social Circle •Sibling Support Groups •Hospital Visits •Volunteer Training Seminars •Community Awareness & Outreach YACHAD - Circle of Friends 40 King Street Norwalk, CT 06851 203.293.8837 www.circleoffriendsct.org • circlefriendsct@gmail.com A community project of Beth Israel of Westport/ Norwalk 40 King Street, Norwalk, CT 06851 PH: 203.866.0534 Sponsored in part by the Schneerson Center for Jewish Life, CT 191 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880 PH: 203.635.4118 The Circle of Friends is an IRS 501 (C)(3) tax exempt charitable organization.

YACHAD CT is the Connecticut affiliate of YACHAD/NJCD, an agency of the Orthodox Union

We Salute Our Volunteers ADULT VOLUNTEERS Susan Robison, Volunteer Coordinator Roberta Dick, RN Francene Jarvis Ilisa Nussbaum Carolyn Rosen Chanie Stone

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FELLOWSHIP AWARDEES Kayla Berman Matthew Greenberg Ari Neumann Rachel Schwartz Amanda Shepard Sam Zorfas

Teen Volunteers Yosef Allen Rachel Baker Gracie Bensimon Leah Bitsky Will Bitsky Hannah Bjornson Katie Blumenfeld Jennie Blumenfeld Wendy Boguchway Kelsey Brown Dylan Carswell Elizabeth Cauchois Jenna Chusid Andrew Cohen Caroline Cohen Peri Cohen Rachel Davison Jacob Epstein Cameron Felton Sammy Fino Rachel Fraade Daniella Frost Erica Gendell Jordan Glick

Katie Glick Joshua Greenberg Zoe Greenblatt Maggie Gross Olivia Hammer Brittney Hargrove Julia Harris Boruch Sholom Hecht Esther Hecht Rochel Hecht Shoshana Hecht Julia Holewinski Rose Jarvis Philip Kahan Mia Kamisar Max Kantor Sophie Katz Russell Kirshenbaum Dani Kirzner Ali Kolbert Jackie Kolbert Katherine Koller Emily Korn David Krawitz

Leyna Kudwitt Dovid Lapa Harrison Lipsitz Jonathan Lipsitz Inbal Magen Rebecca Marks Lesley Matson Nina Meltzer Dani Moubayed Jilllian Pecoriello Caroline Peyton Alexandra Popkin Aly Rackson Jill Rappaport Samantha Rehr Shami Reichman Justin Resnick Gabriella Rizack Henri Rizack Andy Rothman Gabe Rubenstein Shmaryahu Ryback Lily Saul

Jonathan Savicky Lexie Schachne Tori Schachne Sami Schwaeber Emma Stein Ruby Steinberg Addye Susnick Saritte Susnick Morgan Tacopino Derek Mushro Rachel Tessler Bryan Turkel Amanda Villalba Amanda Vindigni Max Weinstein Zack Weinstein Jared Weisman Julia Weisman Juliet Zirn

80 families & participants who benefit directly from our programs.

100

Volunteers provide more than

4,000 “Friendship Hours”

annually in Westport, Weston, Wilton and Norwalk, CT

In Dedication to our Spiritual Mentor and Teacher, The Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of saintly memory Whose inspiration and personal example is our guiding light and moving force.

B”H

June 2, 2010 – Sivan 20, 5770 Dear Volunteers and Friends, One of the fundamental principles of The Circle of Friends is the Torah’s declaration “Vahavta L’rayacha Kamocha - Love Your Fellow as Yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

Tonight at our Evening of Recognition we honor our dedicated volunteers and participants of the Circle of Friends who exemplify this principle of loving each and every person unconditionally.

We celebrate YOU our volunteers, your special friends and their families.

We celebrate your compassion, kindness and friendship.

We celebrate your dedication, love and goodness.

In the “Kabbala” - Jewish mysticism, the geometric shape of the Circle is representative of infinity. A Circle has no beginning and no end. Every part of the circle is connected. All of us are connected and all who are part of this circle are connected to a higher calling, this soul connection, raises and elevates our lives to a more meaningful reality and existence.

The Circle of Friends began six years ago, with one friendship. It’s truly amazing how many hundreds of friendships have flourished and blossomed since then.

Your Mitzvahs and good deeds of friendship are truly making a difference in the lives of many and serve as an everlasting foundation for making our community and world a place filled with the sunshine of hope and dignity for all. Every word of encouragement and acceptance and each smile and friendship shared, is a moment of eternity gained, in a world in need of elevation. This transformation will come through the power of love and of peace!

May the Almighty bless each and every one of you with the blessings of friendship and joy, always. L’Chaim!

Sincerely,

Freida Hecht, Director

Thank You to our Donors: Circle Founders

Dr. Stanley & Carrie Cooper

Circle Pillars Lillian August Heyman Properties Harvey & Kathryn Susnick

The Circle of Friends is a beneficiary of: UJA Federation of WWWN Westport Young Woman’s League

Dinner

Sponsors Fran & Mitch Cohen Melissa & Doug Laurie & Dave Gendell Susan & Michael Glick Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Katz Gold Photo Inc.

Thank You to our Evening of Recognition Dinner Committee Debra & Andrew Barer Fran & Mitch Cohen Lori & Anthony Elkins Andrea & Dr. Sheldon Greenberg Freida & Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht Jessi & David Levi Doree & Robert Levy Sharon & Howard Lipper Shelly & Philip Moll Robin & John Moubayed Fran & Alan Rackson Susan & Todd Robison Laurette Shrage Chanie & Rabbi Levi Stone Diane & Ken Yormark

B”H

In tribute to a pillar of The Circle of Friends Dr. Stanley & Carrie Cooper Exemplars of “Ohev Sholom, V’ Rodeph Sholom, Ohev et Habriyot, U’Mekarvan L’Torah” Love peace, pursue peace, love your fellow and bring them closer to the Torah (Mishna: Ethics of our Fathers 1:12)

In Memory of R’ Pinchos Ben Yehudah Cooper z”l

Lillian August congratulates the Circle of Friends on all the wonderful friendships they create.

32 Knight Street Norwalk, CT 06851 203-847-3314

Heyman Properties Is Pleased to Support The Circle of Friends

Party Ideas!

2 Greenbrier Road Westport, CT 06880 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Special Occasions 203.226.3672– office 203.984.0610-cell 203.226.3810– Fax

AR Arlene Rosenthal

Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk Salutes The Circle of Friends Volunteers We are proud to serve Fairfield County and the Communities of Westport, Weston, Wilton & Norwalk, With: •Daily Minyonim •Mikvah Chana – Mei Leiba (in building stage) •Beth Israel Hebrew School •Aleph Bet Preschool •Youth Clubs •Yachad – Circle of Friends •Community Wide Holiday Programs •Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group •Adult Education Center •Chaplaincy

Mazel Tov! Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Spiritual Leader Raphael Davison, President Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk 40 King Street, Norwalk, CT 06851 203.866.0534 www.bethisraelct.org

Hearing & Balance Associates "Helping You To Find Balance"

Congratulations to Rabbi Levi & Chanie Stone on your work with The Circle of Friends Your dedication truly shows.

Best Wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Katz

Eye Care Associates of Fairfield, P.C. Carl F. Gruning, O.D. Fellow, American Academy of Optometry Fellow, College of Optometrists in Vision Development Board CertiďŹ ed in Vision Therapy/ Development Clinical Professor , S.U.N.Y. Optometry

Vision Therapy: Pediatric (infants thru school age), adults, seniors, rehabilitation Low Vision for partially sighted 2600 Post Road, Southport, CT 06890 Tel:203-255-4005

Colonial Druggists is pleased to support the

Circle of Friends 611 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 Tel: 203-227-9538

Russell B. Levine, B.S. Reg. Pharm. Mgr.

University Archives wishes Todd and Susan Robison and Rabbi Levi and Chanie Stone congratulations on another great year for the Circle of Friends Mr. John Reznikoff

Chabad of the Upper East Side Congratulates the Circle of Friends and Freida Hecht May you go from strength to strength!

Rabbi Benzion and Chanie Krasnianski

Rebecca, We are so happy that you and your Circle of Friends have found each other We are very proud of you With all our love, Grandma and Grandpa (Helen and Howard Unger, Diane Yormark’s Parents)

Mazal Tov to Freida Hecht and the Circle of Friends program on another successful year.

Thank you for enabling our children, Jared & Julia to volunteer to help make a diffrerence.

Amy and Tedd Weisman

Congratulations to our Dear Mother Shlucha and Emissary of the Rebbe, Pillar of our Family and Inspiration to us all!

Love, Chanie and Levi Stone Sara and Yitzchak Capland Mendel, Rochel, Rivka, Mushka, Shaina, Esther, Boruch, Shoshana and Yaacov Hecht

Thank You for allowing me to be part of the Circle of Friends.

I love all the friends I’ve made at Sunday Circle.

Cameron Felton

Those are rewarded who show humility and compassion in freely giving of themselves in service to others.

We thank you!

Westport Hardware 616 Post Road East Westport • 203­227­1211

Bates Norwalk Monument Co., Inc. “A Norwalk Monument Tradition”

24 Cross Street Norwalk, CT 06851 203-847-0293 800-201-2214

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Under The Rabbinical Supervision of The Westchester Rabbinical Council

Cooks Nook The place for people who love to cook!

465 Connecticut Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854 203-831-8777

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Yehoshua & Freida Hecht on your wonderful work with The Circle of Friends Rabbi Eli & Dr. Dalia Hecht, Chabad of Lomita California

Thank you Lesley and Sami for all your time, creativity, and love!

Sharon and Howard Lipper Braach's House Of Flowers 43 N Main St Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 866-5963 www.braachshouseofflowers.com

Congratulations!

Magic Cleaners Quality dry cleaning, tailoring and shirt cleaning 635 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 203足454足2090

Brain Balance Center of Norwalk BRAIN BALANCE IS A CLINICALLY PROVEN PROGRAM TO HELP KIDS OVERCOME UNIQUE CHALLENGES Improves: •Academic Performance •Social Abilities •Cognitive Function •Sensory and Motor Skills •Visual-spacial Organizational Skills •Immunity and Nutritional Health

Dr. Mark Goldenberg, Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist 15 Cross Street Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 847-3000 www.brainbalancecenters.com

Yasher Koach and Congratulations from Dr. Mark Steckel Pediatric and Adult Opthamology Opthamolic Surgery 140 Sherman Street, Fairfield, CT 06824 203-256-1320

Join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Circle­of­Friends

The Schneerson Center for Jewish Life, CT “Dedicated to the Love and Inspiration of the Chabad Lubavitch Rebbe”

Congratulates our Circle of Friends Volunteers Serving our community with: •Young Jewish Professionals Network, CT •Jewish Town Herald Magazine •Mezuzah Check-ups and Placement •Holiday Awareness Programs •Adult Education and Lectures •Chaplaincy and Counseling •“Flying Challah” Project •Teffillin Club •One on One Torah/Hebrew Study 191 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880 203-635-4118 www.schneersoncenter.org Rabbi Levi and Chanie Stone “Where Every Jew Deserves a Positive Jewish Experience”