Fundraiser Unites Generations for a Night of Comedy
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Fundraiser Unites Generations for a Night of Comedy

The comedy show raised money for Congregation Or VeShalom’s ongoing membership and community programs.

(From left) Todd Galanti, Julia Galanti, Stella Galanti (lead singer of Six Tenth a Minyan, OVS’ multi-generational band that performed during the event), Janet Galanti and Randy Galanti.
(From left) Todd Galanti, Julia Galanti, Stella Galanti (lead singer of Six Tenth a Minyan, OVS’ multi-generational band that performed during the event), Janet Galanti and Randy Galanti.

Last month, l’dor v’dor took on a new meaning at Congregation Or VeShalom (OVS), the oldest Sephardic synagogue in Atlanta, founded in 1914.

Earlier in the year, fundraising chairwoman Debra Tennenbaum was tasked with putting together a fundraiser for the synagogue to raise money for ongoing membership and community programs. However, Tennenbaum’s idea was a bit different than what the members at OVS typically see.

“It was just as important to make it an opportunity for many generations of members to come together, as it was to raise the money,” said Tennenbaum. “Usually, our events individually attract one to two generations, but this event brought in members whose ages ranged anywhere from 10 to almost 100! It was truly an event that all generations enjoyed.”

Leo Benatar and Louise Benatar enjoyed the comedy night // Photo Credit: Debra Tennenbaum

The idea of a comedy show was not just going to be a comedy show. It was going to include Atlanta’s comedy legend, Jerry Farber, and a younger generation of comedians whose performances would relate to a broader audience.

“It was remarkable how old and young greeted each other with such warmth. It was pure magic,” said Farber.

Among the young comedians who took stage were Louis Galanti, 33, whose father and grandfather both served as president of OVS, and Lily Maslia, 27, who knows the comedy scene all too well by following in the footsteps of her dad, Richard Maslia, who did standup when he was in college at Georgia State University.

“Performing at the synagogue I grew up in was a deeply cathartic and full circle experience,” said Lily Maslia, one of the comedians at the event. “I’m so grateful I got to be a part of the OVS community and so appreciative of being invited to perform alongside Jerry and Louis.”

Another key component of the event was to showcase the talent of the multi-generational band called, Six Tenth a Minyan. The band performed covers across the decades such as songs by The Beatles, Alannis Morisette, and Sir Elton John. Members of the band include lead singer and high school senior Stella Galanti, Robert Beton, David Falkenstein, Peter Gleichman, Tony Jansen and OVS’ very own Rabbi Joshua Hearshen.

Comedienne Lily Maslia performs her routine at Or VeShalom’s comedy night fundraiser.

Galanti says, “Comedy night at OVS was a new experience for me. While I’ve been performing in front of crowds for more than half my life, it’s usually been as a solo act. Collaborating and teaming up with fellow musician congregants—many of whom had multiple decades of experience on me—was both a learning experience and a blast! They taught me so much, and I truly had an incredible time!”

The event attracted more than 225 attendees from the Atlanta community, exceeded the fundraising goal of $20,000 for the evening, and included a diverse crowd from across Jewish Atlanta, making it a success on multiple levels.

Community members also enjoyed Sephardic delicacies at the event — hundreds of burekas and biscochos were consumed amongst the crowd.

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