Our highly anticipated gala dinner will be held this coming Monday night at Cipriani Wall Street. It’s our annual fundraiser for our extensive Belev Echad program, in which we provide a complex network of services to the severely injured men and women of the IDF, helping to restore their lives.
The gala does not come together easily. It is a herculean effort; six months of intense planning. But year after year, it pays off. The evening is one of inspiration and motivation that keeps people thinking and talking and coming back.
The gala filled up about two weeks ago, but we kept reservations open. No longer are we full, now we’re overfull. We’re at complete and utter capacity—more than 1,200 people! We cannot admit a single extra person and we have a tremendous waitlist. In fact, we’re pleading with people to please, please let us know if they have to cancel at the last minute so that we can give their tickets to those who are still hoping for a spot.
Anyone who has previously attended knows that they will walk out feeling deeply moved and uplifted, connected to Israel, and like a valuable member of our Upper East Side and Belev Echad communities, and our nation as a whole. They know they’ll be entertained, wined and dined, in good company, with new and old friends, meeting the soldiers, and creating memories that will stay with them for years to come.
Here’s the astonishing part: Despite being sold out, despite being costly (although for a good cause), the flood of phone calls, emails, and texts from people eager to attend hasn’t abated! It’s clear our event has struck a chord and we’re grateful for the enthusiasm. We have a long list of people waiting, and if we can accommodate anyone we absolutely will.
It’s human nature to want what one can’t have. It’s the phenomenon of desire and scarcity. When something is in high demand and limited in supply, our desire for it intensifies. The good old, "You always want what you can't have." It’s simply how we operate.
In our spiritual journey, we often face similar dynamics. Things that are off-limits (forbidden fruit, for example) are all the more alluring.
But it is our responsibility to learn to appreciate what we do have: Torah, mitzvot, and an indelible connection to the Creator of the Universe.
So, let's take a step back and appreciate the abundance we have, rather than constantly yearning for what we can't have. Let's focus on the present moment and the blessings that surround us.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to a moving and uplifting evening at Cipriani!