By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Voorhees Sun
To celebrate its first anniversary, Congregation Beth El will be holding a concert and craft bazaar in March to raise money for the rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
Ronit Boyd, director of community life, said the first-year anniversary celebration of their new home in Voorhees would combine the entertainment of a great concert and the fun of a craft bazaar for a great cause. The event will be held on Sunday, March 21, at 1 p.m. with a concert by musician Rick Recht.
Members of the congregation’s anniversary committee knew they wanted to do something special for the celebration, Boyd said, and a benefit for Haiti seemed to be the most appropriate theme for the event.
“We’re very humbled that we can make this our first anniversary celebration,” she said. “This is what we want people to think about when they think of Beth El, that we give back to our community and help people in need.”
Recht is the top-touring musician in Jewish music and has performed over 150 concerts a year in the United States and around the world, according to benefit representatives.
Tickets for the Recht concert are on sale at the synagogue, 8000 Main Street, for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
A free craft and gift bazaar will also be held at the synagogue from noon to 4 p.m. Boyd encouraged any interested community members who wish to help the people of Haiti to come to the event and purchase some of the creative pieces on sale.
Several raffle and door prizes will also be held during the celebration, she said.
Tables for interested vendors and crafters are available for $100 each, Boyd said. All money collected from the table sales and the vast majority of money collected through concert ticket sales will be donated to the American Red Cross.
Interested vendors should contact Congregation Beth El as quickly as possible, Boyd said. The money will be donated to the Red Cross as soon as it is received.
“Hopefully people will start to purchase tables now so we can get the money to Haiti sooner,” Boyd said.
The Red Cross will also be running a blood drive and bone marrow registry. Representatives will be on hand to discuss Gift and Life information and other Red Cross opportunities in the community, Boyd said.
An added benefit for any volunteer at the event is that the celebration is registered with the Disney “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” promotion. If volunteers register their service with Disney, they will receive one free park pass for their day’s work, Boyd said.
Checks should be made payable directly to the Camden County Chapter of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Vendors are invited to contribute a portion of their proceeds to the Red Cross as well, Boyd said, but it’s not required.
For information about general admission tickets, concert sponsorships or purchasing a table for the community bazaar, call Boyd at 856–675–1166 ext. 418.
