THE YACHAD’S MOB SCENE EVENT DECLARED A SUCCESS; OVER $100,000 RAISED TO BENEFIT PROGRAM
Ever wonder what the bad guys have been up to lately? Here’s an inside scoop. The wise guyz, mobsters, and the street crew gathered last week at the exclusive Union Square Ballroom for the Orthodox Union’s Yachad Mob Scene, the annual spring benefit on behalf of the Yachad program.
During the evening they successfully raised over $100,000 to benefit Yachad and its vital work.
“Yachad,” the flagship program of the OU’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), provides unique social, educational and recreational programs for individuals with developmental, learning and physical disabilities.
Yachad events traditionally feature an ingenious theme which adds to the excitement of the evening. This year’s mob theme featured a classic gangster buffet filled with tantalizing choices from Al Capone’s pizza to Swimming with the Sharks sushi; booming big band music; and old gangster flicks, among others.
“The stakes during the evening were high — true winners were the Yachad members who benefit from our unique and vital programs,” declared Laurie “Whacko” Kracko, one of “The Wise Guyz” or Event Chairperson. “An added benefit to participants was our raffle drawing as grand prize, $ 10,000 cash. The winners were parents of a Yachad member, who in recognition of the program’s incredible work, pledged to give half of the amount back to Yachad.”
“The evening’s success is owed to the generosity and participation of everyone who contributed financially or came to the event. The money we bring in at an event like this can help send a Yachad member on one of our summer programs, among other benefits,” she said.
“The Wise Guyz,” or Chairpersons who were involved in every aspect of the event were Lanie and Ari “Goodfellas” Kellman; Rina “The Arm” and Zach “Whiskers” Kestenbaum; Laurie “Whacko” Kracko; David “Made Guy” Neiss; Liraz “Lefty” and Marc “The Hook” Spear; and Laura “Dove” and Yehuda “Mitch” Wolf.
To contribute and for more information on Yachad benefit programs contact Elaine Grossman at 212-613-8350 or email grossmane@ou.org.