Chabad of Cobb Gala Honors New Preschool

At the Chabad of Cobb Champions Gala, held on March 6, the new Cobb Jewish Preschool at Chabad of Cobb was the star of the show. Selected as this year’s honoree for the East Cobb synagogue’s annual celebration and fundraiser, the new preschool launched this school year.

More than 150 members and supporters gathered in grand style to recognize the accomplishments of the new preschool and celebrate the synagogue’s educational leaders, including Chani Silverman, programming, education and Camp Gan Izzy director; Mushkie Shemtov, preschool director; Musy Wolf, youth director; and Rabbi Avremel Zaltzman, rabbi of Chabad of Smyrna-Vinings and director of CTeen. Debbie Sassoon and Liz Helgesen were also recognized for their volunteer work supporting youth and seniors in the community.

Rabbi Zaltzman served as the night’s emcee, energizing the crowd of well-wishers through humor and a moving rendition of, “A Soldier’s Prayer.” He spoke of the congregation’s solidarity with Israel and continued support through the country’s difficult times since Oct. 7.

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Rabbi Ephraim Silverman speaks to crowd of well-wishers.

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman, rabbi of the synagogue, reflected on the impact the new Jewish preschool has had on the shul and community. “The classrooms are brimming with Jewish joy. There is no louder, more emphatic rebuttal to what happened on Oct. 7 than having these Jewish children sing their prayers and songs each day,” he said.

Raquel and Jason Saltzman, parents of children at the preschool, spoke to the crowd about the “warm energy” of the school and emphasized the love their children experience each day from all the teachers and staff at the school.

The social hall was adorned in a majestic dusty rose and black color scheme for the evening. Avenue K catered the event, and guests strolled through separate Mexican, Italian and meat carving stations that offered a plethora of dishes, including a variety of salads, brisket, pasta, chicken, turkey and corned beef. Both a silent and Chinese auction were held, offering a variety of items, ranging from paintings to vacations. In the highest bid of the night, one lucky congregant received a special coin from Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, along with a painting of a rabbi.

For the second year in a row, Roni Wolk and Carol Salzberg served as co-chairs for the gala, supported by a committee of volunteers from the synagogue. Planning began in October 2024.

(From left) Carole Salzberg and Roni Wolk, co-chairs for the Champions Gala, accept gifts for their volunteer efforts.

“It was an honor to co-chair this Chabad of Cobb Champions Gala, celebrating the new preschool. The evening truly reflected Chabad’s values of education, kindness and building connections,” said Salzberg.

Echoing her sentiments, Wolk added, “We love getting everyone together for a celebration. Of course, there’s lots of work to be done each year, and we do it in hopes of bringing our community together and raising funds for Chabad of Cobb. We want the shul to continue the important work, impacting all the important areas, including the preschool and the Smiles for Seniors program.”

And perhaps Wolk’s husband, Alan, a community leader and supporter of the shul, captured the sentiments of the event attendees, when he spoke to the crowd during the event. “Chabad of Cobb is a place of hope and prayer. While the last 500-plus days have been dark, Rabbi Silverman’s spiritual leadership and positive energy inspires us and helps us turn that darkness into light. He empowers our Jewish community to stand together as one,” he shared.