It is not every day that the young people of the community are invited to such glamorous events, but everyone was made to feel like a true socialite at the sparkling YAD Launch of 2008. Stepping into the elegantly decorated hall at GrandWest, the guests were greeted with an evening of glitz and entertainment.
In true Jewish style, a delicious buffet started off the evening, catered to perfection by Merle Rubin and her team. The meal was followed by the smooth sounds of the Sterling EQ quartet, adding a touch of diamond glamour to the atmosphere. More entertainment included the slick style of MC and stand up comedian Loyiso Gola, who was voted Stand up Comedian of the Year 2007, showing us a different side of Cape Town and that the best thing for democracy is to laugh with each other and at ourselves!
Irit Noble and her Disco Divalicious Cabaret created the diva component of the evening with an energetic and somewhat provocative performance!
Entertainers mingling with the crowd included the Dayglo Dancing artists and roving close-up magicians Marcel and Jacques. Along with paper crowns and other paraphernalia the young was certainly put back into Young Adult Division!
YAD thanks Tanya Sternberg for her specially designed Diamonds, Divas and Democracy logo that encapsulated the evening!
The hall was packed, with many familiar YAD faces as well as newcomers, indicating that young members of the community can work together for the future. YAD Chairman Warren Kaimowitz, addressed this diverse crowd, appealing to them to continue the success of 2007 and highlighted that, no matter ones position, everyone could contribute towards building our community in the present and future. With such a mix of people it is a message that can have a far reaching impact, as it is carried out by both beginner and more experienced YAD participants.
Roy Ettlinger, Chief Executive Officer of The Credo Group, addressed the audience on his decision to sponsor the evening. He said that he felt closely tied to the richly unique South African Jewish community, which he hoped would continue to maintain such vibrant institutions.
After the pledging, Herschel Gutman, Guy Golan, Anton Gillis, David Brooke and Gabi Sulcas won prizes in the lucky draw from GrandWest comprising dinner and show ticket vouchers for two, and a generously pre-loaded gaming voucher
Special thanks to Platinum Sponsors, Credo and Macsteel, and Gold Sponsors, GrandWest Casino, Discovery Life and an anonymous donor, without all of whom the evening would not have been possible. YAD is also very grateful to Comair, Rikkis, Spur, Backsberg, and Johnnie Walker for their generous support. Kudos to Merle Rubin, who provided outstanding catering, to Petals who excelled with their elegant dcor, and to the CSO who looked after us.
This perfectly orchestrated evening was organised by YAD extraordinaire Fiona Sacks and her team of volunteers, who worked tirelessly to create this successful event. The greatest triumph was that the launch brought many new people into the fold, spreading the YAD ethos and creating a powerful and dynamic base of young people to contribute in the present and to lead in the future.
