Temple to help send New Orleans kids to camp
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

FOR THE KIDS- Don Stark and Kurtwood Smith of "That '70s Show" will be among the celebrities and sports stars joining Temple Beth Haverim's fundraising dinner dance on Feb. 10. Proceeds from the event will send children from New Orleans' hurricane-ravaged areas to Jewish summer camp.

When it throws a party, Temple Beth Haverim in Agoura Hills goes all out to make it both fun and meaningful.

When partygoers show up for the temple's annual dinner/dance Feb. 10 at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village, they'll not only come for the food and entertainment, but also to support a cause for children. A portion of proceeds raised from the evening will help send children from Hurricane Katrina-devastated areas in New Orleans to Jewish summer camp.

"We want to take them away from the day-to-day pain of what they're going through," said David Solomon, a Beth Haverim member and a dinner/ dance honoree.

The funds will be distributed through the Foundation for Jewish Camping, a New York-based nonprofit that raises money to send hundreds of kids to 130 Jewish camps each summer.

The beneficiaries of Beth Haverim's fundraiser will be a New Orleans synagogue whose membership plummeted following the 2005 hurricane. Temple Shir Chadash lost 30 percent of its 400 families, who moved away after losing homes, schools and jobs.

"Our Sunday school used to have over 100 kids. Now we have 40," said Sandy Lassen, Shir Chadash executive director. "This is a congregation of everyone from wealthy to poor. Nobody was untouched by this storm."

Traditional scholarships and financial support provided by temple groups such as the sisterhood have disappeared as Shir Chadash members struggle to reestablish their lives.

"People are not able to do things they've normally done because they've had to put money into rebuilding their homes," Lassen said.

The Shir Chadash community is grateful that as many as 30 children will benefit from Beth Haverim's efforts, Lassen added.

"We are fighting our way back and are determined to work for the continuation of our synagogue and our city," Lassen said. "Knowing somebody cares about us is big."

Beth Haverim's decision to support another Conservative synagogue was an easy one, according to dinner/dance organizer Don Stark of Agoura Hills. A year ago Beth Haverim faced serious financial challenges but overcame them thanks to the community's support.

"We came together as a temple and made it through," Stark said. "We thought we could do something really wonderful to help someone else."

The theme of the dinner/dance is "Mardi Gras Du Jieux, a kosher Cajun festival of fun," which lent itself well to helping a cause in New Orleans.

The event will feature Kurtwood Smith, star of "That '70s Show," and dancing to music by The Second Hand Jazz Band, which includes members from Jay Leno's Tonight Show Band.

Silent and live auctions will offer such prizes as themed gift baskets, gift certificates and a trip for two to New Orleans, with limo service to and from the airport, a two-night stay at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street, and dinner at celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse's flagship restaurant, Emeril's.

Three Beth Haverim couples will be honored during the event for their activism and commitment to the temple. They are Lisa and Evan Bachner and Debra and David Solomon of Agoura Hills; and Robin and Jim Felton of Calabasas.

To purchase tickets for the dinner/dance, call Temple Beth Haverim at (818) 991-7111 or visit www.templebethhaverim.orgt.

For information on the Foundation for Jewish Camping visit www.jewishcamping.org.

Temple Beth

dinner/dance .

Haverim

Sat., Feb. 10 Four Seasons Hotel

Westlake Village

(818) 991-5250 www.templebethhaverim.org