EXCEEDING GREAT EXPECTATIONS
The countdown to the end of the season has begun in earnest, and in its honour, Social Notes proudly presents the first of a two-part farewell special. Enjoy ...
Goodman gala goes to the next level: In 2010, Rosalind Goodman, a Mcgill alumni (who along with husband Morris had re-energized cancer research with a transformative gift to Mcgill’s Faculty of Medicine in 2008), brainstormed a brilliant idea: the creation of a larger-than-life gala in support of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre (GCRC) at Mcgill University. And while the inaugural gala in 2010 was an overwhelming success, the second edition, held recently at Griffintown’s L’arsenal – under the direction of chairs Joanne and Douglas Cohen and vice-chair Sandy Martz – was even better, exceeding Rosalind and the organizing team’s greatest expectations:
Attention to detail: Often, it’s the little things that take a gala evening into wow territory, and the GCRC Gala had more than its fair share thanks to decor-chair Farla Grover, including a contemporary and colourful garden theme of lime, turquoise and fuchsia, dining-room ceiling alight in glimmering indigo lights, and stunning visual floral projections from the Linda Rutenberg collection of photos.
Memorable entertainment: While bouts of good boogie were a defining part of the evening (who doesn’t want to shake booty to the live rhythms of the Paul Chacra Orchestra?), other good amusement came in the form of live dance performances by Arthur Murray ballroom professionals and talented tappers à la Mcgill student Cara-marie Carosielli.
Fare fit for kings and queens: Yet again, Java U nailed the menu with mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres (the sushi bar was art) and a choice of veal chop, arctic char or vegetarian pasta for the main course. (Fine wines from the prestigious Domodimonti collection just topped it all off ... literally!)
A-list crowd: The winning eve would have been impossible without the solid support of 700-plus high-profile invitees like (in random order) Health Minister Yves Bolduc and wife Chantal Trépanier; the honourable Irwin Cotler; Marc Weinstein, McGill vice-president of Development and Alumni Relations, in the company of wife Dany Meloul; event fundraising chair Rod Budd and wife Louise; Stephanie and David Azrieli; Michel Tremblay, former director of the Goodman Cancer Research Centre; Sam Benaroya, associate vice-principal of Health Affairs and associate dean of Inter-hospital Affairs, attending with wife Emily Hamilton; Mcgill provost Anthony Masi and wife Maria; Mara Ludwig, associate dean of Faculty Affairs, and husband Steven Grover, director of the Mcgill Cardiovascular Improvement Program (CHIP); Gwen and Tom Nacos; Rose Goldstein, vice-principal Research and International Relations, Mcgill University, with husband Mark Hardy; Jewel and Paul Lowenstein; Armen Aprikian, MUHC urologist-in-chief, with wife Paola; Joseph Portnoy, director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic, and wife Susan; and still more magnificent MDS, including Ruth Chaytor (with James Parkyn), Calvin Melmed (with wife Carolyn) and Roger Tabah.
Important addresses: Several of the evening’s most influential proponents took to the podium to address the VIP crowd, including Mcgill chancellor Arnold Steinberg (attending with wife Blema); gala dinner chair and Mcgill principal/vicechancellor emeritus Bernard Shapiro (with wife Lois); honorary principal and vice-chancellor Heather Munroe-blum (with husband Len); David Eidelman, Dean of Medicine and viceprincipal of Health Affairs, (with wife Brigitte); and the eve’s treasured honorary co-chair and gala adviser, Rosalind Goodman, who said: “The gala was a great party and opportunity to celebrate the exciting work going on at the centre. Here at McGill, we have some of the best brains in Canada working to find a cure for cancer ...” Touché.
Tall tally: The singular second edition raised a whopping $1.15 million for the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre of Mcgill University, lending much-needed support to groundbreaking research and improved patient care. A round of applause for 2012 and spirited toast to 2014!
Foodie dreams do come true: Worried about the future of philanthropy in Montreal? Don’t be! It’s in exceptionally good hands. Proof was in the pudding (and all kinds of other good nosh) at the recent inaugural event called A Taste for Life, headed up by the New Leadership Division (read young) of the Montreal Chapter of Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) at hot new venue The Wave.
Not only did helmers of the evening – including ICRF VP Jeffrey Bernstein (attending with new fiancée Maxine Foldiak), New Leadership Division cochairs Brian Becker and Stephanie Weschler (with husband Howard) and event co-chairs Brian Etcovitch and Gillian Eliahoo (with boyfriend Ricky Gold) get out an impressive crowd (more than 350 supporters attended the event) – but it was extremely well executed, awash in memorable highlights.
First and foremost (and in tune with the title), there were the star munchies (displayed beautifully and en- ticingly) from star sponsors, including Moishe’s (spectacularly sliced sirloin and famous smashed potatoes), Deville Dinerbar (beyond-yum lobster rolls and tuna tacos), Le Boucan Smokehouse (down-home good chicken with dippin’ sauce and slaw), Satay Brothers (Thai noodles like you’ve never), Yo’ Dough (superfine homemade cookies), Crudessence (dessert so good you’d never know it’s healthy) and TCBY cupcakes (yes, they’re as good as the famous fro-yo). Second, speeches by cherished honorees Jenna Schwartz (a young cancer survivor who spoke movingly about her triumph over the disease) and Michael Roskies (a determined young medical resident who has already raised much awareness and funds in the fight against cancer) were most inspiring, reminding everyone of the true purpose of their presence and patronage.
And, finally, there was that rock-star crowd we touched upon earlier peppered (hee) by the fine likes of ICRF education chair Mitchell Bernstein and wife Neilly Kornitzer; silent auction co-chairs Lisa Back---
man-finkelstein (attending with husband Tal Finkelstein) and Rachel Moscovitz (with husband Adam Shapiro); fundraisers extraordinaire Chelsea Mayoff, Dana Frank and Michelle Becker; Josh Wiseman and wife Lisa; devoted initiatives chair Lauren Pekofsky in the company of husband Josh Fisher; and the inimitable Mitchell Adler with lovely wife Lauren.
Magic number: With the support of the glam gang above and generous benefactors like title sponsors Bonnie and Paul Ostrov and event sponsors LUXE Rentals, the vibrant inaugural eve raised $55,000 toward research. Told ya we’re in good hands ...
And before we bid adieu for today, a special Social Notes salute to an old friend – super lawyer William ‘Bill’ Brock, a courageous leukemia survivor who has made it a personal mission to take on a number of major initiatives in the advancement of the treatment of blood cancers, including the recent publication of an impressive and inspirational coffee table tome, Portraits of Hope (also published in French under the title Portraits d’espoir), which he recently launched to rave reviews at a well-attended cocktail reception. All photos in the book (featuring almost 50 blood-cancers survivors, including Saku Koivu and John Gomery) were taken with love and purpose by Montrealbased photographer Angela Boismenu and Brock himself. All sales of the book support cancer research through the William Brock Fund for Research and Education into Blood Cancers. Established in 2006 in tribute to the extraordinary care Brock received at Maisonneuve-rosemont Hospital, the fund, to date, has raised well over $1 million. Bravo, Bill. As always, you raise the bar.
For more fabulous, pix and scoop re: today’s column (and other events), visit diaryofasocialgal.com, check out @diarysocialgal on Twitter and the Diary of a Social Gal fan page on Facebook. Yup, the party never ends.