On Sunday, Sept. 7 the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades officially launched its campus as a center for the community at large, extending its reach beyond the Jewish population.
“We’re at a crossroads that makes us available to help and enhance many communities beyond our own individual community,” said Rabbi Zushe Cunin, co-director of Chabad of Pacific Palisades and one of the event’s emcees.
The gala served to help raise funds for the community center, which offers early childhood education and Hebrew school along with programs for youth, adults and senior citizens.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
“There wasn’t an empty seat in the house,” Cunin said of the nearly 400 people in attendance. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”
The gala event consisted of self-guided tours of the expansive facility, refreshments, lunch, entertainment and an inside look at the new wall surrounding the campus lcoated on Sunset Boulevard near Los Liones Drive.
Participants made contributions to the community center in order to attend the event, with some making dedications to different areas of the campus.
Prominent community members Steven and Amanda Kofsky hosted the event, with David Cohen, Mark Karlan and Louis Kemp serving as event chairs.
David Suissa, who Cunin said was named one of the 50 most influential Jewish people in the world by Jewish Journal, served alongside Cunin as emcee.
Also in attendance were Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce executive director Arnie Wishnick and board of directors executive committee president Joyce Brunell. The center’s alumni and parents made up much of the crowd.
Chabad Jewish Community Center of PP, 17315 Sunset Blvd., (310) 454-7783, chabadpalisades.com.
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