COS benefit for Ukraine raises over $11,500

The Men’s Club and Sisterhood of Congregation Ohev Shalom hosted an afternoon event on Sunday, May 22, to raise much-needed funds for Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to leave their homes and flee their country amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Mark Stone, a long-standing member of the congregation and a mentalist extraordinaire, donated his time to present his comedy and ESP show “Mentalmania.” Stone astounded the audience with his uncanny ability to read minds, make predictions and “see” with his fingertips while blindfolded. He engaged with the audience and performed his mind-boggling demonstration using 53 cards, telephone book listing determination and combining multiple numbers in columns and rows to add up to a predetermined number.

The committee presented three videos highlighting interviews with JCC of Krakow Executive Director Jonathan Ornstein on CNN, CRJ’s Rabbi Steven Engel on WESH-2 and a young girl named Claire singing Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love,” which brought tears to many of the more than 120 people in attendance. Rabbi Murray Ezring, COS interim rabbi, spoke about the injustice going on in the Ukraine in his opening remarks.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be sent to the JCC of Krakow. The Men’s Club and Sisterhood agreed to cover all the expenses.

The generosity of those who made donations was heartwarming. But one donation made stood out above the rest: The COS afternoon school donated $302 from their Tzedakah Fund, mostly in one-dollar bills.

In all, the event raised over $11,500, which will be sent to the JCC of Krakow.

The committee thanks everyone for their support.