Sunshine and song greeted the 120 people gathered to enjoy the BBQ lunch and watch the sensational JCC Showtime on Monday June 27th at Beth Tikvah. Toby Rubin, Executive Director of Kehila, welcomed everyone, explained the agenda and proceeded to highlight two of her outstanding volunteers.

Stacey Kettleman, who at one time had been co-president with Toby Rubin, was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation. Sylvia Yasin, a 90 year old dynamo who had directed the setup of the whole room, was also singled out as an exceptional volunteer.

Marilyn Berger, President of JSA, which had partnered  with Kehila to present the afternoon’s program, informed everyone that it was the fourth and final session  in this year’s Empowerment Series—with the theme ‘A Smile on Your Face-a Song in Your Heart’ which could not have been brought to fruition without the dedicated efforts of Gyda Chud and Shanie Levin.

The BBQ lunch was professionally prepared by Stacey Kettleman and her staff who offered salads, beef burgers as well as vegetarian choices to accommodate varying dietary needs. Fruit and chocolate cake were served as dessert.

Debbie Cossover of JCC Showtime announced that their group consisted of volunteer performers who have been together 13 years. There next show will be their 200^th performance. This is a group which was created by Beryl Israel who had arrived from South Africa in 2002 and had been involved with a similar group there and was inspired to establish one here.

The afternoon’s program began with Marshall Berger singing ‘Showtime’, accompanied by their pianist Muriel Morris and aided by sound technician Gary Zumer. The crowd was transported down memory lane with nostalgia-laced songs such ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’, complete with suitcase; Debbie Cossover’s foot stomping rendition of ‘You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun’;