Welcome to our exciting Gala Tribute Dinner of 5786/2026, where congregants, friends and family come together to celebrate with and honor this year’s awardees. This dinner and virtual journal are a culmination of much planning, time, effort and contribution of the Dinner and Journal Chairs, our Guests of Honor, ad solicitors, donors and all those in attendance. The proceeds of this event are essential to keeping our shul operating and allow us to provide the outstanding programming and activities that define our community. Each of you reading this greeting has played an important role in making this Gala one of the most successful and memorable yet.

This coming August, I will mark forty years as a member of Congregation Israel. As a youngster in my early teens, I would come to Springfield to spend Shabbos with my dear friend, David Artman z”l. At that time, CIS was housed in a large white house on the very spot where the shul stands today. Even in the early 1970s, when the congregation was far smaller, it already possessed the warmth, cohesiveness and sense of belonging that remain the cornerstones of our shul. Those early impressions were instrumental in my decision to make Springfield my home and to raise my family here.

Over the years, there have been changes and improvements that I could never have imagined possible. The wonderful core of those early days has served as the foundation for our exponential growth in all areas of congregational life. Through the dedication of talented rabbinic and lay leadership, and with the active participation and contributions of our Kehilah, CIS has continued to develop year after year. Today, the synagogue is quite literally bursting at the seams, and, thank G-d, with the help of many of you, CIS has embarked on a significant facility expansion project. These are truly exciting times to be part of this special place, and that as a community we owe a great debt of gratitude, hakarat hatov, to so many.

The Gala Tribute Dinner is our opportunity to acknowledge a sampling of our doers, helpers, leaders, innovators and role models. This year’s award recipients did not devote years of care, commitment and service in order to be recognized or to receive a beautiful piece of Judaica at Crystal Plaza. Rather, they gave because they care deeply about our shul. I thank each of the honorees, and their families, for their devotion to Congregation Israel and for accepting the not-so-simple task of being “chosen.” Those who know, know.

Congratulations to this year's honorees:

Daniella and Ben Hoffer, Jessica and Dr. Noam Zeffren, Rachel Beer, Dr. Moshe Rosenwein, and Eva Warshaw. 

Please take the time to learn more about our honorees by reading their bios in the journal.

Our heartfelt thanks go to our guide of spiritual inspiration and Torah, Rav Chaim Marcus, and our Rebbetzin, Lea, for all they do to make our shul meaningful, special, and simply the best anywhere.

Finally, a very special shout-out to our Dinner and Journal Co-Chairs, whose tireless work, day in and day out, beginning the day after last year’s dinner, has made this Gala Tribute Dinner so enjoyable, delicious, successful and fantastic. Their job is made even more challenging by having to chase after the president to write this “simple” message. Without you ladies, we are truly lost. Thank you!