The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) held its 97th Anniversary Dinner on May 7, 2009 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. The theme of this year’s dinner was “Honoring our Past, Impacting the Present, and Building our Future.” The National Council of Young Israel recognized an array of honorees, each of whom has made significant contributions to their shul, their community, and to the broader Jewish community.
The honorees included El Al Israel Airlines (Guest of Honor); Yudi and Aviva Zuller (Israel Solidarity Award); Congressman Eliot Engel (Defender of Jerusalem Award); Jan Fenster, Past President of the Queens Jewish
Community Council (NCYI Tzorchei Tzibbur Award); and Chavi Jacobs, Founder of Sasson V’Simcha, Toronto, Canada (Bayit Ne’eman B’Yisrael Award). In addition, the NCYI honored the Legacy of the Young Israel of Eastern Parkway and its long-time Mara D’Atra Rabbi Zvi Dov Kanotopsky Z”L and President Mr. Harold Jacobs, Z”L. Special recognition was also given to the dedication and service of Rabbi Israel Upbin, Z”L, who led the National Council of Young Israel as its Executive Vice President from 1943-1953.{Elisha Ferber-Matzav.com Newscenter}