Installation Dinner
The 2009-2011 Executive Committee and Officers were installed on May 11, 2009 during a festive ceremony at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills.
Rabbis from left to right: Steven Carr Reuben, Jon Hanish, Judith HaLevy, Morley Feinstein, Denise Eger, Mark Diamond, Ilana Grinblat, Stewart Vogel, Miriyam Glazer, Jonathan Bernhard, Joshua Levine Grater, Joshua Hoffman, Ronald Stern, Daniel Moskovitz
Program
John Altschul, Founding President, Congregation Kol Ami served as master of ceremonies. Current Kol Ami President Sheryl Gold praised Rabbi Denise Eger in her opening remarks. And Rabbi Laura Geller delivered a loving Devar Torah and led HaMotzi. Adding to the spirit of the evening, JFS/SOVA food baskets served as centerpieces.
Special Presentations
Rabbis Stewart Vogel, Denise Eger and Mark Diamond presented outgoing Jewish Federation President John Fishel with a plaque commending him for his work. Rabbi Diamond said a few heartfelt words about Fishel and about outgoing Board of Rabbis president Rabbi Vogel.
Rabbi Vogel was also honored - with a special appearance by the Pope.
Prayers
A Prayer for Our Country was delivered by Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Residing Bishop, Los Angeles Area, United Methodist Church. Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard, Vice President of the Board of Rabbis gave a Prayer for Israel. The Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder of Metropolitan Community Churches read a Prayer for Peace
Music
Our most musical installation dinner to date! Vox Femina, a Los Angeles Women's Chorus sang I Dream a World, to the rhythms drummed out by director Dr. Iris Levine. And Congregation Kol Ami's Cantor Mark Saltzman added his rich voice to a few songs, including Modim
Greetings
Stanley Gold, Chairman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and Deputy Counsel General of Israel in Los Angeles Gil Artzyeli addressed the 150-strong crowd.
Installation
Executive Dir. of the Human Relations Commission of Los Angeles and Past-President of the Board of Rabbis Rabbi Allen I. Freehling conducted the installation.
Accepting the "great honor," Rabbi Denise Eger invoked that day's holiday, Lag B'Omer, in her speech, encouraging those assembled to "build a bonfire of light and enlightenment that can indeed light up our city-and help us embrace a message of love and welcome."
Closing
Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein capped the evening with Birkat HaMazon.
And Rabbi Judith HaLevy delivered a closing prayer.