Chabad of the Conejo hosts banquet

Chabad of the Conejo will host its annual gala banquet at 5:30 p.m. Wed., June 14 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Close to a thousand friends and supporters will gather for an evening of glamour, entertainment and tribute. The gala theme this year is "Imagine: A Vision for the Future" and will be followed by a performance in the Kavli Theatre featuring Marc Salem and his Broadway show "Mind Games."

Chabad will be paying tribute to Noam and Sherry Lotan, the honorees at this year's gala. "Noam and Sherry are truly

deserving of this prestigious award," said Rabbi Moshe Bryski, executive director of Chabad. "This is a couple deeply concerned with the material and spiritual welfare of others. They are true community leaders who have given of their time, energy, and benevolence to ensure a more vibrant and educated Jewish community for all of us."

A "Chesed Award" will be presented to Louis and Lisa Robin for their kindness, compassion and sacrifice for others. The Lamplighter Award will be presented to Jim Sarvey.

Chabad of the Conejo operates a network of educational and so

cial services for the Las Virgenes, Conejo Valley and Ventura County communities. Their goals are to promote the level of Jewish identity and awareness within each and every Jew regardless of the affiliation or level of observance. Chabad has always maintained an "open door" policy for Jews of all persuasions and backgrounds, with no prerequisites needed in order to affiliate.

Thousands participate annually through the many outreach activities, classes, lectures, festivals and seminars. Sabbath services fill five synagogues. Chabad does not have membership dues or fees.

The banquet will celebrate Chabad's 27th anniversary in the Conejo Valley.

Chabad opened in 1979 in a small office in Westlake Village. It has since grown and expanded with Chabad Centers in Westlake Village and Oak Park plus the Conejo Jewish Academy in Agoura Hills. Currently there are also Chabad Centers in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas and Ventura.

A year ago Chabad opened another institution, the Mei Menachem Mikvas Devorah, the first Mikvah in the history of the Conejo Valley. Chabad has also founded the "Friendship Circle," a program that caters to the needs of children with special needs and their families.

"The banquet will give us the opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation to all of our supporters who have enabled us to reach this milestone," said Bryski.

For further information or reservations for the banquet and/or the Marc Salem show, call Chabad at (818) 991-0991 or visit www.chabadgala.com.