The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
January 12, 2007
 “Lights & Spice Ball” chairs Jane Lukoff, left, and Maggie Seelig, 2nd from right, with Judi Krupp, right, and Debra Lasden at The Park Plaza. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
The Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston’s 2006 “Lights & Spice Ball” was the most successful in the JCC’s history, raising more than $1 million to support the JCC’s programs and services. The event focused on supporting the organization’s summer camps, special needs programming and senior hot lunches.
The gala event took place at The Castle at Park Plaza in December with more than 400 guests enjoying the festivities. Hosted by Jane Lukoff, Ginny MacDowell and Maggie Gold Seelig, the Ball honored three couples who have made significant contributions to the organization.
According to Rachel Levy, Ellen and Kalman Heller have been actively involved in furthering the mission of the JCCGB for more than 20 years, including the Board of Directors and the Special Needs Committee. “Kal” comments that, “The JCC has been the focus of my community involvement for almost 25 years, but as I think through these years, I received more from my connection to the JCC than I gave to it.” The Hellers are also active in other areas of the community, including the Bank of America and The Jewish Vocational Services.
Ginny and Roy MacDowell have both been instrumental in supporting the JCCGB. Ginny has been an active member of the Board of Directors, and was also a co-chair of the Lights & Spice event for the third year in a row. “What the JCC does is so important for all the types of families that make up the Jewish Community in the 21st Century.” Roy serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Rivers School and is a former member of the Babson College Board of Trustees. At the Lights & Spice Ball, the MacDowell family inspired the community by announcing their significant donation to name the Auditorium at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in perpetuity.
Patty and Charles Ribakoff are two of the most active leaders in the Jewish Community. Patty is a member of the JCCGB Board of Directors and the Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ Board of Governors. “I honestly don’t know where Boston’s Jewish community would be without the JCC.” Patty and Charles also chaired the CJP 2006 Annual Campaign and the CJP 2000 Major Gifts Campaign. Charles is a member of the JCRC Board and is a past president and chairman of the New England Region of the American Technion Society.
The “Lights & Spice Ball” raised funds from a live auction and a Mitzvah Auction. As Mark Sokoll, JCCGB President/CEO, said at the event, “It’s easy to love children, but the test of a people is how it takes care of its elderly.” The JCCGB raised significant funds to support hot lunches for senior adults. In addition, the event raised money to send children with special needs to the Zohar program at the JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood, the only Jewish overnight camp program that fully integrates kids with special needs into the camp.
JCCGB Board Chair, Jason Chudnofsky, said, “We are so thrilled that the community in general and the community leaders stepped up to support and embrace the JCC’s of Greater Boston at the Lights & Spice Ball.”
Congratulations and Best Wishes to all! For information about the JCC and their programs, visit
www.jccgb.org.
“Back to the Prom” theme for Big Brothers’ Annual Bash
The legendary 80’s bands Hall & Oates and The Bangles will perform live at “Big Night 8,” Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay’s biggest fundraiser of the year, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 20 at the Boston Convention and Expo Center.
“Big Night 8” is the organization’s annual evening of celebration with more than 1,000 guests expected to attend. This special evening helps Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay in its continuing effort to serve more children throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
Publicist Pam Sullivan tells us that the “extraordinary gala is the perfect way to beat the winter blues.” The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center will be transformed into everyone’s high school gymnasium with a “Back to the Prom” theme, with guests “digging out” their taffeta and tuxes to groove to the distinctive sounds of Hall & Oates and the Bangles. What fun!
The evening will feature a sumptuous menu prepared by world-renowned chefs including Seth and Angela Raynor of Nantucket’s The Boarding House and The Pearl; Michael Schlow of Boston hot spots Alta Strada, Radius, Via Matta, and Great Bay; Ming Tsai and Michelle Fadden of Wellesley’s Blue Ginger; and Pino Maffeo of Restaurant L. Each chef will prepare a particular part of the evening’s menu to create one of the New Year’s most eclectic and delicious dinners.
Co-chaired by Jim Pallotta of Tudor Investment Corporation and Joe Ayoub of Nutter, McClennen & Fish, the event is expected to raise more than one million dollars for the non-profit agency. For ticket information, call 617-542-9090 or visit
www.bignightboston.com.
Tasty and Decadent Tour Returns
We remind our readers about “The One & Only Boston Chocolate Tour,” which returns on January 20 “to satisfy New England's collective sweet tooth” every Saturday from January through April. Yum!
The fully narrated, three-hour journey of decadent desserts and fun facts features tasty visits to Top of the Hub Restaurant, the historic Omni Parker House Hotel and The Langham Hotel Boston. Additional chocolate goodies are provided on-board the trolley by Finale. As the trolley travels from location to location, conductors will share mouth-watering chocolate-related trivia.
Presented by Old Town Trolley Tours® of Boston, the popular tour has been featured on "Phantom Gourmet," "Chronicle" and "TV Diner."
For ticket costs, reservations (which are required), and more information, call 617-269-7010.
Enjoy!
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