Irvine Dinner

Thank G-d it was a major success with 240 attendees (we would have had more if not for spacial limitations but isnt that the story everywhere ;)).

Well first off the entire shul was emptied out of all the usual furniture - except for the Aron and Bimah which were too big to move out. Then round tables and bars were put in and the windows covered with canvas. The effect was the total and complete transformation of the Shul into a gorgeous and intimately lit hall. Many of the people who came in had to wait a few seconds for their mouths to close as they couldnt recognize their own shul :).

For me it was a very interesting night. I no longer envy any of the pro photogs (alhtough i am seriously considering joining their ranks ;)). Thank G-d many of the shots that i took came out extremely well.

Especially some of the ones of the food (which the shul wanted for catering adverts). So well in fact that Graziella (shul book keeper and ex-voice of chabad) - whom we call Gra for short - took a look at one of the pics of a salad and exclaimed that it looked so good and why hadnt she seen it by the dinner?! :-D

There were the usual array of speakers from Rabbi to honories. But by far the best speaker was Aviv Bernstien (one of the honories whose efforts over the past few years especailly have made COI what it is today) whose speech was a medley of songs. in short the whole shul was laughing hysterically. he would begin a sentence and then burst out into an appropriate song (soz im not good at putting it into words ) sorta like this: "when the shul was finally finished Rabbi T was thinking ::insert musical note here:: CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES. COME ON. ::end musical note::.

And then to finish off the night was the hillarious jewish comedian Elon Gold. some of the jokes were a bit old. but the delivery... and then some just had to have cpr - which means they sucked. but by far his best part of the routine was his impersonations. everyone was rolling.

that of course was followed by dancing (dont ask how as the tables lit. filled the room) because there is NO party in irvine that doesnt have dancing!

oh and as for the pics will post them as soon as i am done sorting them all out (i took over 500 so...). will hopefully go up on the usual day - aka friday or motzie shabbat.

love you all (even those who disagree ;)) moshiach now

me