B’nai Torah Chai award gala dinner

On Sunday, May 31, Congregation B’nai Torah will celebrate the Chai (Life) Award Gala dinner. The recipients are Edward and Elaine Bader and Robert and Debbie Velthuizen, who are being honored for their many years of commitment and dedication to Congregation B’nai Torah and the community. The Baders are long time residents of Trumbull, as well as long standing members of B’nai Torah. Ed has served as Vice President of House and Vice President of Ritual before becoming the President from 1976-1978. He has been extremely active in fund-raising as well as education. A retired school teacher, he continues to teach at Merkaz, the community Hebrew High School, specializing in Holocaust studies while he remains involved in B’nai Torah’s Adult Education movie programs. Elaine has been very active serving as Sisterhood President and as Vice President of Ways of Means. She has also participated in many fund-raising activities, hosted numerous events and served as B’nai B’rith youth group chapter leader. She continues to serve on the Kiddush Committee and is recently retired from her career as a pharmacist. The Velthuizens moved to Trumbull in 2005 after having lived in Florida and New Jersey. Robert began his involvement with the scrip fund-raising program. He became a Member at Large of the Board of Directors and served as President from 2008-2010. He has served on the Nominating Committee, co-chaired the President’s Gala, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of the JCCS and on their Merger Committee. A scientist at Unilever, Robert specializes in skin care research. Debbie revitalized B’nai Torah’s Sisterhood and became its President in 2006, running many programs and activities to bring in new members. She has helped foster community-wide Sisterhood inter-synagogue joint programs with women’s seders and planning the “Vashti’s Feast” event. She started the Kiddush fund and works diligently on the Kiddush Committee involving many hours of food preparation and catering. Debbie is a recipient of the Muriel J. Frankel Award and currently serves as a Board member of Merkaz. She is an active member of Hadassah and together with Robert has helped with food drives along with community clean-up efforts at St. Mary’s By the Sea. The event will begin at 6 p.m., with a cocktail party followed by dinner and entertainment. Event co-chairs are Beverly Fein of Easton and Terri Levi of Trumbull. For more information, contact the synagogue office at 203-268-6940.

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