The Pointe buzzed with activity on Saturday evening, February 8, as members of YAD, the Jewish Federation of Louisville’s Young Adult Division, enjoyed a variety of casino games, visiting with friends and good food at this annual Campaign event.
Throughout the evening, people tried their luck with craps, roulette or cards at tables run by professionals, collecting entry tickets for raffle prizes.
While most of the evening was fun and games, everyone took a few moments out to listen to Event Co-Chair Tracy Geller, made it passionately clear why the community supports the Federation Campaign and why YAD members, as part of the community, must support it, too.
When she first returned to Louisville, Geller recounted, she and her husband were not involved in the Jewish community, but when their children were born, she enrolled them in the preschool. Soon, the quality of the children’s experience led them to greater participation in the community and to the decision to join the JCC.
The more involved they got, the more Geller realized she needed to participate and support the community. She began saying yes when she was asked to serve on committees, take on leadership responsibilities and support the Campaign. She encouraged those present to join her in making a pledge to the 2014 Campaign and participating actively in YAD and the community.
Those who were present that night pledged $12,200 to the Campaign.
Helping Geller ensure the evening was the best it could be were Co-Chair Keren Benabou and event hosts Olga Itkin, Faina and Ariel Kronenberg, Shannon and Ed Rothschild and Abby and Barrett Tasman. They worked with YAD Director Tzivia Levin Kalmes.
The 2014 YAD chairs are Keren Benabou and Ben Vaughan and the Ben Gurion Society chairs are Beth and Michael Salamon. Ben Gurion Society members contribute a minimum of $1,000 to the Annual Federation Campaign each year.
Raffle prizes were donated by Fritz’s Salon, Genesis Diamonds, Happy Nails Salon, the JCC, Ariel and Faina Kronenberg, Pure Barre, Stohl Keenon Ogden PLLC Attorneys, Tri State Gold & Diamond Jewelers and the University of Louisville.
The venue, The Pointe, is owned by Barrett Tasman and his family. The food was prepared by Ladyfingers Catering. The alcoholic beverages were donated by Heaven Hill Distilleries, owned by the Shapira family. Ted Wirth and Phil Cooley were the event photographers.
YAD Casino Night Photo Gallery
