Good evening and welcome to the Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Distinguished Lecture Series.

The closing of one chapter is the opening of another.

Our building is renovated, comfortable and functioning as a center of learning and community under the inspiring leadership of Rabbi Yosef Benarroch and our dedicated board of directors led by our esteemed president Jack Cra-ven.

In order to bridge the gap between our annual revenues and expenses, we are gathered tonight for our second annual fundraising event.

We are most fortunate to have the eminent American scholar and author Rabbi Joseph Telushkin as our speaker.

How better to firmly establish a tradition than with a speaker of his renown!

 We have come from a long way.

The goal  we have and the papers we have explore over the years of struggle are an integral part of who we are, and for that we are, we should be most thankful to our ancesstors.

They provided the goal which enable us to go forward.

For example, this last year, the Weidman family held a private reunion.

People came to  attend it from all over North America.

A highlight for them all was the background of their family that our success provided.

Abe Anhang has a great ability to motivate people.

On the .4111 one hand, it’s because he is a perfect gentleman.

On the other, it is because he talks faster than anyone I’ve ever met.

Faced with his bullet-fast-delivery, you find 411 yourself agreeing to whatever he’s just proposed to 4111 you, just to keep the momentum going.

He is a fine gentleman, dedicated to preserving Jewish heritage, and a solid citizen of the Winnipeg Jewish community in every respect.

He owns those authentic features – as I always say -only found in “the captain of the ship.” Abe has consistency and solidness to exert authority and yet be respectful; he inspires a group of individuals to cooperatively work; and has the ability to make decisions often amidst conflictive scenarios.

A Herzlia evening honoring the Dukes, Abe Anhang Co-Chair

It’s rare to have an opportunity to honor two members of one family; both for distinctive and well-earned accomplishments.

We find ourselves tonight at this brilliant art retrospective of Caroline Dukes z’l, where not only the Herzlia Synagogue, Ohr HaTorah Day School and the Adam Anhang Learning Centre, but all of the city, honors a spectacular creative career.

That we are able to add the accomplishments of our dear friend, Alfred Dukes, a mainstay of the Herzlia minyan and longest-standing board member, is a tremendous honor.

Herzlia is the natural home of those who wish to be a part of any Orthodox minyan in Winnipeg, and those minyanim, their daily reliability, was the accomplishment and the hallmark of Alfred Dukes.

At the same time, as the Dukes family came together with their accomplishments in diverse areas, art and a spiritual life (and those two things enhanced each other in their family’s daily living), this year Herzlia Synagogue, Ohr HaTorah Day School and the Adam Anhang Learning Centre, come together to raise funds for the organizations that are the bedrock of Torah living and Torah learning in Winnipeg.

President’s Message CHERISHING OUR PLACE IN TIME ABE ANHANG, President – Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada

“Cherishing our place in time”– our new mission statement.

About 3 years ago, as part of our campaign to reposition ourselves in this community, our angel and prime supporter, Laurie Mainster, came up with a new logo and five-word mission statement.

introduction of the new mission

While the introduction of the new mission statement was done without fanfare or flourish, it did signal a marked, subtle and important change in our approach and emphasis.

From the Kanee Lectures, which cater to a mass audience, to the more popular programs such as the Mr. Justice Samuel Freedman ex-hibit to the recent Argentinian night, we are reaching out to our constituency, the people who support us vocally and financially.