Our gala is this Monday night, and thank G-d, we’re looking at another spectacular, sold-out, magical, uplifting and inspiring evening. It’s our one-a-year gala and there’s nothing like it.
Most people only see the finished product. They walk into a fully decked out hall, enjoy an elaborate and luxurious catered dinner, listen to fine-tuned presentations, catch up with friends, and go home on a high.
What they don’t see is everything that happened before that night! And it’s a lot.
Every year, when I reach out to people, they tell me: “Rabbi, you don’t need my help. The gala always sells out!”
And I smile politely while thinking: If only you knew…
Because this is New York City. The toughest market in the world. We aren’t the only event in town—or even one of a handful. People have a million options every night: bars, comedy shows, Broadway, the best restaurants in the world, parties, influencers livestreaming from rooftops … Why should anyone come to our gala?
And the effort we expend is tremendous! We work on this gala all year. A full year of work for one night!
Are we professionals? Party planners? Event coordinators? Far from it. We’re just determined Jews with laptops, caffeine, and a vision we’ll do almost anything to bring to life.
This year, we published a book for the occasion. Writing, editing, publishing, printing … we did it all. And then there’s the videos, speakers, décor, centerpieces, journal ads … it’s no small feat.
The list of things that can go wrong is longer than the guest list!
But actually getting guests in the room? That’s harder than splitting the Red Sea.
So what’s our secret? How do we do it?
It’s not strategy, creativity, or experience. It’s because we are the Lubavitcher Rebbe's shluchim.
Everyone sees the lights, the music, the cameras. Nobody sees the sleepless nights, the last-minute crises, or the whispered prayers backstage: “Hashem … please, let this work.”
Human effort alone can’t explain the success; He is the real power behind the gala.
So, here we are, just days before the gala. We’re tired, nervous, hopeful, and doing so much praying.
And I know He will carry us.
Because this event is sacred. This isn’t our gala. It’s His. And it’s for His soldiers — the heroes who protect Am Yisrael with their bodies, their courage, and their souls.