More than 20 years ago, Barry Shrage, president of Boston’s CJP (Combined Jewish Philanthropies — its Jewish federation) was one of the first to recognize the benefits of sending high school graduates and young adults to Israel. Today that program — Taglit-Birthright — has sent more than 10,000 young Boston area Jews on first-time free visits to the Jewish homeland. Upon their return, CJP’s Campus and Post-Campus Initiatives have become national models that teach students to become lifelong advocates for Israel.
Shrage has made a difference in Boston — as has Todd Stettner, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City since 1999. So it made “perfect sense,” said Margie Robinow, chairman of the 2012 Purim Gala, “to ask Barry to be the featured speaker at this year’s event when Todd will be presented with the annual Mordechai Award.”
“I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, at the same synagogue as Barry and his family,” explained Rabbi Dani Rockoff, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner, which has sponsored Purim Gala since 1998.
“Occasionally he would speak to the congregation and I remember always being impressed and inspired by his thoughtful words and the passion with which he delivered them,” Rabbi Rockoff added. “I was pleased that Todd, our honoree, suggested Barry as a guest speaker at BIAV’s Purim Gala and I am thrilled that he is coming. It should be a very memorable evening!”
Purim Gala, slated for Sunday, Feb. 12, at Oakwood Country Club, is an annual fundraiser for Congregation BIAV, the area’s only modern Orthodox synagogue. The evening will begin with a silent auction and cocktail reception at 5 p.m., followed by a seated dinner at 6 p.m. The Lev Simcha Orchestra, headed by Rabbi Binyamin Davis, will be playing throughout the evening, as guests have an opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items of jewelry and Judaica, as well as sports tickets and gym memberships.
“I am delighted to have Barry come to Kansas to honor Todd,” added Robinow, “as I have been inspired by his visionary efforts in connecting community, promoting education and keeping focus on what is most important for the continuity of the Jewish people.”
Shrage has been instrumental in the creation of several cutting edge programs in Boston, designed to engage the next generation in meaningful Jewish life, and create a welcoming, inclusive Jewish community. Projects include Me’ah, an intensive Jewish adult education curriculum; and Ikkarim, a Jewish learning program for parents of young children. Pioneered in Boston, both programs are now being replicated nationwide.
Lisa Bernard, this year’s Jewish Federation Women’s Campaign co-chair, and co-chair of Purim Gala 2011, added that “It’s so important to have role models like Todd and Barry who reach out to the Jewish community, regardless of synagogue affiliation. Kansas City succeeds because everyone — from the unaffiliated to the most ardent synagogue supporter — is welcomed, included and nurtured.”
Stettner is a strong supporter of Israel. He has been involved with this community’s Partnership with Kibbutz Gezer-Ramle since its inception. Last year he became involved with a new program, Elem-Derech, aimed at developing innovative ways to effectively treat and rehabilitate disaffected, at-risk Israeli youth.
Like Stettner, Shrage also is one of Israel’s most passionate and effective advocates in Boston. More than 20 years ago, he helped to establish the Boston-Haifa Connection, a sister city relationship that has resulted in mutually beneficial social programs. He and his wife Ellie live in Newton, Mass., where they raised their two children. They also have two grandchildren.
Tickets are still available to Purim Gala 2012. For more information, call Barry Rubin at Congregation BIAV at 913-341-2444 or email him at . The invitation and forms to place ads and congratulatory greetings for the Tribute Journal are also available online at: www.BIAV.org/purimgala.