Tuesday 22nd May 2017, Kinloss Banqueting Suite GROWING WITH LEGADEL FOLLOWING ON FROM LAST YEAR’S MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS, THE ORGANISERS OF LEGADEL’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER SOUGHT OUT A LARGER VENUE FOR THIS YEAR. The communal response, however, indicate that Legadel will need an even larger venue next year. An overflow crowd from across the community gathered at the festively- decorated Kinloss Suite on Tuesday evening for the long-awaited event in support of the sacred work carried out by Legadel. In the four years since its inception, it has grown from operating in two schools to eleven, with a vision to expand to “all schools requiring its services”, in the words of Legadel Chairman Mr Aryeh Melinek. Following a sumptuous buffet, catered by Reich Caterers, the gathering excitedly awaited the internationally-renowned dynamic Guest Speaker Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Jacobson. Drawing on sources as early as Midrashim, through the masters of Chassidus and as recent as 20th century Gedolei Yisroel, the guest speaker spoke for over an hour to an enthralled audience on the topic of welcoming and encouraging every child to flourish in their unique manner. He urged the assembled to ensure that Yiddishkeit is transmitted with joy and is not seen as an obstacle to happiness. He explained the manner in which this is achieved, primarily by being fully emotionally present for children and enabling them to have an image in their mind that invokes memories of love and happiness. What enabled Yosef Hatzaddik to “refuse” the temptation of Potifar’s wife was the “refusal” of his father to give up on “the rejected brother”, despite his having many other children who were Tzaddikim. Every child must be appreciated as “an ambassador of love, life and hope and a prince of the Ribono Shel Olam”. In his energetic manner, Rabbi Jacobson shared many anecdotes from his rich experience as an educator. A presentation was made by Mr Yoeli Schwartz founder of the organisation, in recognition of the Event Chairman Mr Eli Sternlicht. Eli worked tirelessly to secure the success of the evening and was ably assisted by Rabbi N Yaffe, Mr A Bloom, Mr S Chontow, Mr Y Fisher, Mr Z Grosskopf, Mr M S Krauss, Mr C J Kesselman, Mr S Lipshitz, Mr S Miller, Mr Y Osteicher, Mr M Rogoff, Mr M Sondhelm and Mr M Weiss. A Choir arranged by Symphony Productions delivered stunning renditions on many Chinuch-themed songs. The event was attended by Rabbonim from across the Kehilla. The evening was dedicated L’ilui Nishmas the unforgettable deputy head of Pardes House Kindergarten, Suri Dubiner. The committee had made this decision in recognition of the fourteen years she devoted to bringing out the best in each child as well as being involved in many Chessed endeavours outside of the classroom. The participants left spiritually and emotionally recharged, with strong appreciation for the work of the organisation. With its mission being, in the words of project manager Mrs Sharonie Melavsky, to “support each and every child with early intervention” tens of therapists and key workers have already made an enormous impact on all the schools they has reached, working together with parents and staff to navigate what was only recently, unfamiliar territory. Many parents have expressed their relief at their child being given another chance to succeed within the framework of the schools.