CRJ hosts Masquerade Gala to support community programs

A Masquerade Gala celebration featuring fabulous food, drink, auction items and entertainment on Feb. 28 will begin 7 p.m. at the Congregation of Reform Judaism, 828 Malone Drive, Orlando, Florida.

Carol Stein, the evening's featured entertainer, is an acclaimed pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger performing a variety of musical genres, from jazz to classical, or musicals and cabarets to pub songs. Throughout her career, Carol has traveled the globe-from Carnegie Hall in New York, to the great concert halls and jazz clubs of Europe and Asia. She can be seen performing for audiences at Walt Disney World and for jazz enthusiasts throughout Central Florida. She will perform with her band.

In addition, area restaurants and caterers will present dynamic small plates at dinner stations throughout the social hall, transformed for the evening into a food and silent auction gathering spot. Those restaurateurs and caterers include Puff n' Stuff Caterers; The Palm Restaurant, nationally known and locally at Universal's Hard Rock Hotel; The Hilton Orlando-Altamonte Springs; Edibles by Ethel, kosher caterer from Tampa; Bagel King; Sweet by Holly, three-time winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars; and Ice Twister, ice cream socials and catering.

Jugglers, magicians, and caricature artists will provide strolling entertainment during the cocktail hour preceding the evening's food presentations with Carol Stein and Friends providing the Main Stage entertainment.

The Silent Auction features gift cards to area restaurants, Orlando experiences and trips to places like a Spa Getaway in Sedona, Arizona; Alaskan Adventures; New York City; and San Francisco wine country.

Cocktail attire is the dress for the evening with masks for the Masquerade Gala encouraged but optional. Tickets for the evening are $125 per person and can be purchased through the temple website, http://www.crjorlando.org. Sponsorships are available by contacting Michael Kancher at the temple, 407-645-0444.

Funds from the evening will provide free programs that CRJ offers to the community such as Babies and Blocks, Tot Shabbat and holiday programs.

Babies and Blocks is a mommy and me program for children eight to 24 months in families raising Jewish children. This program features an hour and a half of music, stories, and activities engaging their fine and gross motor skills.

Join Rabbi Steven Engel and Cantor Jacki Rawiszer for Shabbat songs, dancing with the Torah and a Shabbat dinner for a 30-minute Shabbat program held on the first Friday of every month for young families.

On holidays like Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Shavuot, Purim, and Chanukah, CRJ hosts free programs for the entire community to enjoy with activities for children age 2 and up. Babies and Blocks, holiday programs, and Tot Shabbat are all family-friendly programs that are open and free to the community-CRJ membership or any other temple membership is not required.

For more information on these programs visit http://www.crjorlando.org or call 407-645-0444. In additional to community programming, a portion of the evening's funds will go toward revitalizing the Goldman Social Hall as an event space for Orlando weddings and mitzvahs.

The Congregation of Reform Judaism is Orlando's largest Jewish Reform congregation. Each week CRJ offers creative and engaging Shabbat services. Explore the Temple website, http://www.crjorlando.org to learn about upcoming events, and find opportunities to get involved.