Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Article Feb 20, 2012
Ten Yad holds first Friend-Raising Gala
By Diane Koven
Ten Yad of Ottawa, a group of volunteers whose mission is simply to help those in need, was founded three-and-a-half years ago when Esti Fogel gathered together some friends to provide help and support for community members going through a difficult time. Having been ill herself some years ago, and having benefited from the help of friends and family, she realized how important such help can be. In its relatively brief existence, Ten Yad (Lend a Hand) has grown by leaps and bounds. Now a registered charity with an army of volunteers, the organization remains unaffiliated and independent but works co-operatively with other community agencies to meet common goals. When individuals
or families are facing acute, lifealtering situations such as illness or death – or the happy occasion of the birth of a child – volunteers will step in and provide food, transportation, child care or whatever is needed. In the midst of airplanes of all descriptions in the hall of the Canadian Aviation Museum, the inaugural Friend-Raising Gala for Ten Yad was held on January 29. Picture the scene: Between the planes sat
more than 350 people at elegantly decorated tables, some with candles burning in large crystal chandeliers, as the Central Band of the Canadian Forces Jazz Quintet – for several numbers, the Jazz Quintet plus Two – played klezmer and Yiddish-inspired tunes.
The gala showcased Ten Yad, introducing the organization to many members of the community who may not have heard much about it. It was also the venue for the launch of a new cookbook, From the Kitchens of Ten Yad, the sale of which will provide much-needed funds.
Keynote speaker Ari Schonbrun told his most remarkable tale of “lending a hand” as a survivor of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 where he was a senior executive at Cantor Fitzgerald. “Only one person walked out without a scratch, and you are looking at that person,” said Schonbrun of the firm’s 662 employees at work that day. “Six hundred and fiftyeight of my friends and co-workers were brutally murdered, simply because they were sitting at their desks, no other reason.” Three others were badly injured. Schonbrun described a series of coincidences on that fateful day, which led to his miraculously surviving the explosion and of how he helped a badly burned co-worker escape from the building and get to a hospital for treatment. “I was plucked out of a burning building … and somebody asked me why. I need to talk to people and tell people that we live in a world today that is going in the wrong direction and we aren’t doing anything about it. We need to make a change,” he said. Schonbrun said his personal priorities have drastically changed over the past 10 years. He no longer lives to work, but takes time to enjoy his family and to appreciate life itself. “The next time somebody calls you and asks you to help,” said Schonbrun, “just answer, ‘Ten Yad.’”
A beautiful dessert reception was provided by David Smith of Creative Kosher Catering, a long-time supporter of Ten Yad. Visit tenyad.ca or call 613-618-0485 for more information about Ten Yad.
