1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture
Invites You To Our 2015 Gala
Honoring Mark E. Atkins and Robert L. Beal
Gala Event Chairs: Jamie and Harold Kotler and Josh Zakim, Boston City Councillor
Sunday, April 26th at 5:30PM
at The Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips Street, Boston, MA
Cocktails and Appetizers Dietary Laws Observed Dessert Reception Following the Award Ceremony
Honoring Mark E. Atkins, Recipient of the Vilna Visionary Leadership Award
This award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual with a
strong Jewish identity who plays an active role in making exemplary
contributions to the greater community. Promoting the core
Jewish values of education and social justice, he dedicates himself
to championing the needs of diverse populations and tikkun olam
(repairing the world).
A globally successful entrepreneur and business leader, Mark Atkins
has led Invention Machine for over a decade. He built the company
into a global enterprise in thirty-five countries using their software,
Invention Machine Goldfire. Atkins’ previous brainchild, Vality Technology, evolved from a start-up to a leader
in the enterprise data quality market. Mark has served as a mentor to multiple early stage entrepreneurial
companies at Tech Stars and leads summits for FiRe (Future in Review), Venture Summit and Babson Forum
for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Currently serving on the Board of Directors for the University of
Massachusetts Foundation, Hebrew College, and the American Jewish Committee, Atkins is also a Professor
at the College of Management at University of Massachusetts (his Alma Mater) in Boston. He is a highly
valued advisor for the Vilna Shul, lending his expertise on marketing strategies.
Honoring Robert L. Beal, Recipient of the Vilna Legacy Award
This award honors an individual who is actively engaged with Jewish
life today while building a bridge for a vibrant Jewish future while
maintaining a deep connection to the past. The award pays tribute to
a person who not only focuses on Jewish values as a central tenet of
his life, but who also plays an active role in creating lasting community.
Robert Beal joined Beal Companies, now known as Related Beal,
in 1976. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School,
Beal has been a strong advocate and leader for Boston businesses
for many years. He is equally devoted to dozens of organizations and
charities. Robert played a major role in helping to save the Vilna Shul from demolition in 1985 when he was
chair of MassDevelopment. Beal has served in leadership roles at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (Director
and past Chair), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (former overseer and trustee), Massachusetts Society
for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Chairman, Council of Fellows), and the Museum of Fine Arts (Board
of Overseers). He has been a civic leader and mentor as Chair of The Taubman Center for State and Local
Government at Harvard as well as the Chair of the School of Social Science, Urban Affairs and Public Policy
at Northeastern University.
Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture
is housed in the Jewish historic landmark, the Vilna Shul. Built in 1919
on the north slope of Boston’s Beacon Hill, this last remaining immigrantera synagogue stands as a symbol of the modest beginnings of the
Jewish people who came to America to establish their home, filled with
tradition, stories, and dreams.
Serving as a vital community resource for Jewish living, we are
taking the unique historical nature of the Vilna and using it as a way to
reengage Jews and build connections to their future.
The Mission of the Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture at the Vilna
Shul: We are dedicated to preserving history by restoring our building and embracing the collective
memories of the past, while simultaneously establishing ourselves as a significant community and cultural
resource in Boston. By fostering awareness and inspiring historical, cultural and spiritual connections, we will
build community, perpetuate an enduring Jewish identity and create a vibrant future.
The Vilna Shul,
Boston’s Center
for Jewish Culture
18 Phillips Street
Boston, MA 02114-6356
www.vilnashul.org
617-523-2324
For Information Contact
Rosa Kramer Franck
rosa@vilnashul.org
Corporate Event Sponsors
Gala Event Chairs
Jamie and Harold Kotler
Josh Zakim, Boston City Councillor
Gala Event Committee
Sandy Swartz, Chair
Deborah Feinstein
Maxine Goldberg
Debbie Kurinsky
Marilyn Okonow
Wendy Perlman
Laura Wise
Gala Host Committee *
Dr. Abdul Abdulwaheed Susan and Aron Ain
Wendy Perlman and Peter Antoszyk
Paula Atkins
Bette Ann Libby and David Begelfer
Dorothea and Shelly Buckler
Dr. Victor Bunderson
George Burch
Carol and Carl Chudnofsky
Carol and Eldon Clingan
Deborah Bogin Cohen
Sara Cohen
Suzan and David Crosby
Ted Cutler
Deborah and Ron Feinstein
Rosa and Michael Franck
Laure and Hal Garnick
Li and Paul S. Gass
Marilyn and David Glater
Maxine and Don Goldberg
Paula and James Gould
Janet Appel and Joseph Grabowski
Steve Grossman
Lauren and Ken Handler
Nava Cretu-Kessel and
Barnet Wolf Kessel
Elaine B. Kirshenbaum
Judith Rulnick Klau
Susan Cohen and Michael Klein
Debbie and Geoff Kurinsky
Meryl and Melvin Langbort
Denise Widman and Allen Lauder
Rabbi Daniel Lehmann
Robert Leikind
Nancy and Sid Lejfer
Sondra and Norman Levenson
Judith Lieberman Barbara and Frank Litwin
Evvajean Mintz
Marilyn and Dale Okonow
Joseph Polish
William Polish
Susan and David Rosen
Michael Ross
Emma and Mike Samuels
Aliza and Judson Samuels
Eileen and Stephen Samuels
Profs. Ruth Langer and Jonathan Sarna
Gloria and Larry A. Schwartz
Eleanor and Stephen Shaer
Susan and Bob Shechter
Ellie and Barry Shrage
Liza Schneiderman and Gary Shub
Margaret Butler and Lee B. Silverman
Polly and Arnie Slavet
Josephine and Stanley Smith
Marjorie and Mark Sokoll
Lise and Myles Striar
Sandy and Jack Swartz
Michael Tichnor
Judy and Dick S. Usen
John F Welsh Esq
Laura Wise
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Deborah Feinstein, President
Debbie Kurinsky, Vice President
Arnold Slavet, Vice President
Sandy Swartz, Vice President
Lawrence A. Schwartz, Treasurer
David Crosby, Clerk
Sheldon Buckler
Carol Clingan
Deborah B. Cohen, Emeritus
Susan Cohen
Paul S. Gass, Emeritus
David Glater, Emeritus
Maxine Goldberg
Joseph Grabowski
Kenneth Handler
Elaine B. Kirshenbaum
Judith Lieberman
Evvajean Mintz, Emeritus
Marilyn Okonow
David Rosen
Eileen Samuels
Mike Samuels
Lee B. Silverman, Emeritus
Stanley M. Smith
Myles D. Striar, Emeritus
Jack Swartz
Richard S. Usen, Emeritus
Laura A. Wise
ADVISORY BOARD
Rabbi Albert S. Axelrad
Anne Bernays
Ariel Burger
Peggy Charren
Kitty Dukakis
Joshua Elkin
David Gordis
Arnold Hiatt
Barbara E. Hunt
Justin Kaplan, z”l
Judith Klau
Mayer Krochmal
Gloria Lieberman
Leonard Nimoy, z”l
Bernie Pucker
Jehuda Reinharz
Shulamit Reinharz
Sharon Rivo
Jonathan D. Sarna
Roger A. Saunders
Rabbi Sam Seicol
S. Parkman Shaw, Jr.
Cynthia B. Shulman
Ellen Smith
Rabbi David B. Starr
Executive Director
Barnet Wolf Kessel
Director of Development
Rosa Kramer Franck
Program Manager
Jessica Antoline
Administrative Assistant
Rachel Spilecki
Parking for the Gala
Five dollar validated parking
will be available at the
Charles River Plaza Parking
Garage, 165 Cambridge St.
* As of 2/20/15
Sunday, April 26th, 2015
Sponsorship & Tribute Book Opportunities
Jubilee $25,000
• Full screen ad in virtual tribute book with extended viewing
• Tribute ad listed on Vilna Shul website
• 12 tickets with premier reserved seating
• Recognition in event program
Chai $18,000
• Full screen ad in virtual tribute book with extended viewing
• Tribute ad listed on Vilna Shul website
• 10 tickets with premier reserved seating
• Recognition in event program
Platinum $5,000
• Full screen ad in virtual tribute book
• 8 tickets with reserved seating
• Recognition in event program
Gold $2,500
• Half screen ad in virtual tribute book
• 6 tickets
• Recognition in event program
Silver $1,000
• Quarter screen ad in virtual tribute book
• 2 tickets
Diamond $10,000
Friend $500
• Full screen ad in virtual tribute book with extended viewing
• 10 tickets with priority reserved seating
• Recognition in event program
• Quarter screen ad in virtual tribute book
Individual Tickets $250
Well Wisher $200
• Name listed in virtual tribute book
per person
The Vilna Shul is pleased to feature a Virtual Tribute Book as an innovative, paperless and cost effective way to share
your message. The Tribute DVD will be screened during the Gala.
Artwork for the Virtual Tribute Book must be received by Monday, April 6, 2015. E-mail high-resolution files of your
artwork (JPEG, PDF, or EPS) to Rachel Spilecki at rachels@vilnashul.org. Please complete and return this form by mail
or email to Rachel. To discuss your ad, congratulatory message, or for more information, call 617-523-2324.
— OR —
Please include your ad text or message exactly as you would like it to appear in the Virtual Tribute Book, either in a
separate document mailed with this form, or in the box below by Monday, April 6, 2015.
Please check one or more of the following:
I/We would like to attend and to sponsor the event at the should be listed in the virtual tribute book as follows:
I/We would like to attend and purchase
level. My/Our name
tickets to the event.
FOLD HERE
I/We cannot attend but enclosed is our fully tax-deductible contribution of $ to support the Vilna.
Please fill in your contact information: Phone
Names of your guests
Email
Please fill in your payment information:
Enclosed, please find a check for $
Please charge my credit card for $
, made payable to: The Vilna Shul, BCJC.
.
All information below is required to charge your card: Please check one: Visa MasterCard Amex Discover Name on Card
Card #
CVV #
Exp. Date
Address City
State Zip
Signature
The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture is a 501(c) 3 cultural organization as determined by the Internal
Revenue Service. All but $65.00 per ticket of your contribution is tax-deductible for those who are attending the event.
For more information, please call Rachel Spilecki at 617-523-2324 or email at rachels@vilnashul.org.