Congregation Or Chadash, a community for LGBT life and Jewish life, held its annual benefit gala at the Arts Club of Chicago March 16.
As the congregation celebrates its 37th anniversary this year, the gala honored Rabbi Laurence Edwards, his wife, Susan Boone and past congregational president Bill Wahler. With the rabbi's retirement approaching at the end of June, concluding his10 years at Or Chadash, this gala had extra meaning for the group.
"It's really gorgeous," said Edwards of the gala. "I'm grateful to the congregation, I just think in it's in a way a heroic group, but it's family and they bear important witness to several communities. I'm just very appreciative that they, years ago, got this going and people have really stuck with it and sustained it. They say they're honoring me, but really it's my honor to have been a part of this for the past 10 years."
A silent auction was held throughout the evening featuring items such as Judaic items, jewelry, artwork, movie and theatre posters, literature, gift certificates and tickets to restaurants, theatres, museums, various classes and services, among other items, which the gala committee members donated or solicited through local businesses. The evening's proceeds benefited Or Chadash, which is a not-for-profit- organization.
Speeches from the honorees, along with dinner and dancing to the music of the Jon Novi Band filled the rest of the evening.
Robin Sampliner, vice president of the synagogue and gala committee chairperson, organized the entire event. Explaining she wanted to make the evening bigger and better than ever than in past years especially because of the honorees.
Jerry Boomershine has been an involved member of the congregation for years and Edwards was his teacher at the Catholic Theological Union. Converting to the Jewish religion three years ago, he says he found Or Chadash to be supportive and is a special place. The gala he describes as a special evening.
"Robin and her group have done a fantastic job this year," said Boomershine about the event. "Sometimes coming out in some kind of a straight synagogue is more difficult where as here they can be themselves whether they're bisexual, transgender, lesbian, gay, or whatever. Here we accept everything and it's kind of a family. It has its place. As a small group we do a lot in the LGBT community and the Jewish community as well. Or Chadash, some people say, is a dinosaur, but as far as I'm concerned, it serves a purpose, not only for people that are searching, but people that are coming out, people are looking for a community."