Beth Sholom gala honors Torah, prayer, good deeds

Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Rapaport

A sold-out crowd enjoyed music, fine dining, comedy, heartfelt speeches and even some Jewish learning at the Congregation Beth Sholom (CBS) gala, held in the Providence synagogue on Feb. 21.

The theme of the evening was the Jewish teaching that the world stands on three pillars: Torah, prayer and deeds of loving-kindness.  In that spirit, husband and wife Drs. Jonah and Rashmi Licht were honored for Torah, Dr. Stuart Rapaport for prayer, and Dr. David Mandelbaum for deeds of loving-kindness.

Drs. Jonah and Rashmi Licht, a nephrologist and urologist, respectively, have devoted their lives to growing in Torah.  They live in Providence and have supported numerous Torah organizations in the area for years.

Dr. Stuart Rapaport, an optometrist who lives in New York, has been traveling to CBS with his family for 26 years to be the cantor for the High Holy Days.  His prayers have helped make the services at CBS both beautiful and inspiring.

Dr. David Mandelbaum, a neurologist, heads Judy’s Kindness Kitchen, a soup kitchen that prepares food on Sunday mornings at CBS and serves it at Crossroads Rhode Island and the Emmanuel House Homeless Shelter, both in Providence.  The organization is inspired by and named after Mandelbaum’s mother, Judy Werber, who is remembered as a model of warmth and hospitality, and a legendary cook.

“The impact that our honorees have had on Providence cannot be overstated,” said William Krieger, president of CBS. “By feeding minds with Torah, spirits with prayer, and the hardest hit of Providence with food and empathy, Drs. Licht, Rapaport and Mandelbaum represent the best of our community.”

CBS’s Rabbi Barry Dolinger said, “The packed house, high-energy event was a testament to the dedication and commitment of the honorees, and a sign of a growing and spiritually ascendant congregation.”

After a classical musical performance by Fishel Bresler, dinner and the speeches, Dr. Rapaport surprised the crowd with a stand-up comedy performance that poked not-so-gentle fun at Jewish life – and brought the house down.