ICRF’s 40th benefit gala was a dazzling success
As noted recently, there’s something special about 2017 on the birthday milestone front. And today, as we recap the highlights from the Annual Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) Benefit Gala, we mark yet another: that admirable organization’s 40th edition. Happy 40th, ICRF! Cheers to many more spirited and successful fundraising soirees that yield such great results for your wonderful organization and the indispensable work and research you do on behalf of so many fortunate beneficiaries. Now, without further ado, the details from this year’s dazzler:
COCKTAIL SUPERSTARTER: While the ultimate goal of each year’s benefit is to raise vital funds and awareness, at the end of the day, organizers also seek to delight guests with a fabulously memorable evening awash in fine food, wine and entertainment. This year was no different. In fact, the anniversary buzz intensified that intention, thereby resulting in one of the gala’s best cocktails ever.
Masterfully coordinated by committee members Janet Presser, Shari Gordon-Black and Jodi Weinstein, the cocktail dinatoire held in Place des Arts’ Gascon Foyer featured the exemplary culinary skills of Beso Catering, whose team prepared heaps of tantalizing fare. Indeed, with the soothing melodies of violinist Marika Fellegi in the background, guests couldn’t help but surrender to the chill vibe and enjoy the impeccable cuisine … and each other.
PRE-SHOW: Post tails, wellsatiated guests (an enthusiastic crowd that included representatives from several schools and groups, thanks to the generosity of benefactors who could not attend) made their way into Théâtre Maisonneuve.
Once seated, Breakfast Television Montreal’s Catherine Verdon-Diamond welcomed one and all (more than 700) and shared her emotional connection to the cause, having tragically lost her father to brain cancer last November.
She was immediately followed on stage by Israeli consul general Ziv Nevo Kulman (attending with deputy consul Rotem Segev), who relayed greetings on Israel’s behalf and congratulated the ICRF for outstanding contributions to cancer research.
Next up was current ICRF president Jeffrey Bernstein (with wife Maxine), who proudly recognized the dedication of past presidents before welcoming 2017 gala chairs to the stage, Robert Spector (with wife Tina) and Julie Wiener (with husband Marc Levy).
A stirring video followed. It payed tribute to the evening’s honourary co-chairs, Susan (a two-time cancer survivor) and Jonathan Wener, and was matched only in poignance and inspiration by the honourees’ live remarks. Also touching at this point was the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the power pair by revered onco-surgeon Walter Gotlieb (with wife Ariella) and Israeli post-doctorate fellows funded by the ICRF: doctors Liron Kogan, Roy Kessous and married doctors Amit and Idit Dotan. While patrons were already considerably moved by this time, they were still somewhat ill-prepared for the waves of emotion that soon resulted from the address by, and video tribute to, gala honouree and beloved broadcaster “Stuntman Stu” Schwartz (with wife Connie Bernardi), who is battling leukemia. His extraordinary blend of courage and humour left audience members in teary-eyed awe as he graciously accepted an ICRF honorary postdoc research fellowship award from fellow broadcaster, mentor and friend Aaron Rand (with love Val Wiseman).
ON WITH THE SHOW: After the two left the stage, everyone’s favourite benefit auctioneer, Ross Paperman (with wife Selena), got down to biz, presiding over another of his signature live spectaculars, generating more than $40,000. And then it was time for the featured performer, global pop icon Andy Grammer and his band, to drive the crowd wild for more than an hour (a performance dear to his heart, having lost his mom to breast cancer almost a decade ago).
TALL TALLY: Thanks to generous patrons and top sponsors including The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation, and Felicia and Arnold Aaron Foundation, the standout anniversary eve raised more than $600,000, which will go a long way in funding Israeli scientists both in Montreal and Israel dedicated to leukemia and stem cell research.