A Night of Vision and Strength at the Four Seasons

More than 500 friends and supporters of Chabad of the Conejo joined together on the evening of Tuesday, June 18, at the Westlake Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate the organization’s Gala 2024. Centered on the theme of “Chazak V’amatz (Be Strong and Courageous)”, the program focused heavily on the idea of standing strong with Israel and emboldening Jewish identity in the diaspora.

After the buffet dinner, Rabbi Yisroel Levine delivered a rousing speech about the unshakable and inextricable bond between Israel and the Jewish People. He introduced a video showing the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s firm and passionate statements on the subject, including clips of the Rebbe’s meetings with Israeli government officials, advocating for the strong stands they must take to ensure the security of Eretz Yisrael and safety of its people.

This led into a series of moving songs and prayers for Israel performed by Yehuda Solomon and Duvid Swirsky of the Moshav Band.

Following dessert, Rabbi Moshe Bryski addressed the disheartening displays of blatant antisemitism being seen in public squares, on college campuses and on mainstream and social media platforms in the wake of October 7.

“We are not cowering in fear,” said Rabbi Bryski. “We are fighting back – not on their terms, but on ours! Instead of descending into their misery, darkness and hate, we are focused on disseminating joy, spreading light, and sharing love.”

Bryski went on to talk about how Chabad has been bolstering its existing outreach and educational programs while launching many new ones. In his words, “Yiddishkeit is coming to life in the Conejo like never before!” A video montage set to the music of “Am Yisrael Chai” colorfully portrayed the enhanced levels of communal activity the rabbi was referring to.

This led into some of the most stimulating and galvanizing moments of the evening: The dramatic unveiling of “Windows to the Future” – a vision for the construction of a spectacular new sanctuary and study center that will complete Chabad’s community campus in Agoura Hills in grand fashion.

The impetus for the project was set in motion by Chabad’s acquisition of the land upon which its Canwood Street synagogue is situated. Although the organization took ownership of the building in 1995, the land beneath it had been subject to a ground-lease owned by a landlord who refused to sell Chabad the parcel, despite repeated overtures over the years. In early 2024, the latest round of negotiations was successful. An agreement was reached, and escrow was opened.

“Thanks to the vision and generosity of seven pioneering couples, we were able to close escrow right on schedule,” said Rabbi Leibel Kahanov, who was instrumental to mobilizing the effort. “It was a truly historic and momentous development.”

As the banquet hall’s video screens were filled with animated images of the renderings for the proposed new facility, an audible gasp could be heard from across the banquet hall as the audience was clearly impressed by what they saw.

Rabbi Bryski put an exclamation point on the segment by stating, “Challenging times call for actions equal to the moment…. ‘Chazak V’amatz’ – let us build that glorious new center of Jewish pride and celebration. Let us build it with strength, courage and resolve. Let us build it together and let us build it soon!”

The rabbi encouraged Chabad of the Conejo’s friends and supporters to log onto windowstothefuture.org to learn more about the project and/or to schedule a meeting to discuss their participation in the historic campaign.

The ensuing uplifting and entertaining segments of the program included a musical tribute by the legendary Tony Orlando; an introduction to recipients of Chabad’s 2024 Young Leadership Award, Bryan and Samantha Molinar, by Rabbi Leibel and Chana Kahanov; and a tribute to Honorees Laurence and Debra Michelson by Rabbi Bryski that concluded with all of Chabad of the Conejo’s rabbis and rebbetzins joining together on stage for the award presentation.”

The grand finale of the evening was an exhilarating Israel Solidarity Concert that got people up and dancing to the music of the Moshav Band, culminating in the familiar bold refrain from the Passover Seder, “Next year in Jerusalem!”