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Autumn 2001 NEW YORK, UNITED STATES The
Ronald S. Lauder Foundation Celebrates Inaugural Dinner "The bright
flame of the Friday night candles, the smell of fresh baked challah,
the sound of traditional Jewish melodies. These are some of the
many wonderful things that the Jewish children of Central and Eastern
Europe will enjoy thanks to the generous support shown this evening,"
stated Foundation President Ronald S. Lauder. "Tonight’s
event was a tremendous success for the Foundation, and for the Jewish
communities of the fifteen countries where we are working to ensure
that thousands of children will be given a Jewish education and
be reconnected to their rich and beautiful heritage." Dr. George Bán,
Executive Vice President of The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, welcomed
all the guests and gave an overview of the scope of the Foundation’s
activities. "What was once just a dream of Ronald Lauder –
the rebuilding of Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe –
has become a reality, spanning 15 countries," he remarked. Israeli Minister
of Housing and Construction, Natan Sharansky, delivered the evening’s
keynote address, in which he discussed his years as a prisoner of
Zion and his current role as a member of the Israeli Knesset. Mr.
Sharansky stressed the importance of providing every Jewish child
with a Jewish education and acknowledged the role of The Ronald
S. Lauder Foundation in this important task. Also addressing dinner participants was Libby Pataki, First Lady of New York State, who is a long-time friend of the Foundation. Mrs. Pataki spoke of the power of education in the lives of children and the impact of the Foundation schools on its thousands of students. Greetings were
sent via video from The First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Laura
Bush. One of the evening’s
highlights was a moving and spirited violin performance of Pablo
de Sarasate’s Introduction et Tarantelle Op.43 by Alina Pinchassowa,
a student of the Lauder Chabad School in Vienna, Austria.
Ronald S. Lauder
delivered a poignant closing address. He retold the remarkable story
of the Foundation’s creation in 1987 while he was serving as
US Ambassador to Austria in the aftermath of the Kurt Waldheim affair.
He related some of the many extraordinary stories behind the Foundation’s formation and expansion over the years, and paid tribute to all those who aided him in his mission to revitalize the once vibrant Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe.
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Close
to 300 guests filled the room to capacity in support of the Foundation’s
efforts across Central and Eastern Europe. More than $1 million
was raised through the event, which will help support schools, camps,
and educational programs sponsored by The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation.
Alina,
now 13, arrived in Vienna at the age of nine months from the Former
Soviet Union and began playing the violin at the age of four. She
enrolled in the Lauder Chabad School four years ago, and her talents
as a violinist soon became apparent in the school’s music program.
For the past three years, Alina has spent her summers at The Perlman
Music Program in New York, where she is perfecting her skills. Alina
was introduced by none other than Itzhak Perlman himself, who also
served as a dinner vice chairman. 
"The
evening was an extremely moving occasion for me. There was a real
feeling in the room of unity and hope for the future," recalled
Ronald S. Lauder. "The evening was a wonderful expression of
support for the Foundation and for every Jewish child who wants
a Jewish education. I look forward to celebrating the rebirth of
Jewry in Central and Eastern Europe with friends of the Foundation
for many years to come." |
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