These Miracle Drive shoes are made for giving

JORDAN MOSHE

Beyond the gourmet dishes and live entertainment, a pair of brand-new shoes were in goody bags given to every guest. These were not like Oprah Winfrey’s gifts, these were specially designated for donation to someone less fortunate, embodying the ethos which drives this unique Chabad House event.

For the 29th consecutive year, Chabad’s Miracle Drive delivered a vibrant experience to every guest. Held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday last week, the dinner was both a celebration of the progress made in helping the Jewish community of South Africa over the past year, and the launch of charitable initiatives for the year ahead.

Bringing together donors, sponsors, and supporters, the event gives the community the opportunity to reflect on its achievements, and to establish a path of giving for the year ahead.

“We all have a responsibility to make the world a happier place,” said Rabbi Yossy Goldman of Sydenham Shul. “We all need to add joy to a depressed world, to bring light to the darkness that shrouds our world. This is what Chabad House is all about.”

This is a vital imperative, even in the difficult times we’re facing in South Africa. A student of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Goldman said that throughout the turbulent years of conflict in South Africa, the Rebbe remained adamant that Jews could and should remain in the country. “The Rebbe gave South Africa a massive vote of confidence at the time,” Goldman said. “He dismissed the perceived need to leave. He said we shouldn’t be afraid.”

Goldman stressed that this was still applicable today. “His assurances have been repeatedly vindicated. Even today, the prophets of doom are still out in full force. They’ve been saying that the country will last for another five years since I arrived in 1976. For 50 years, they’ve said we’ll be closing shop in five years. When Mandela was released, the Rebbe said we have nothing to fear, South Africa will be good until the coming of Mashiach. Such was his long-term view.

“We’re still here. Alive and kicking. We live with hope, confidence, prayer, and patience. For us human beings, to create a place for G-d in this world is a big miracle. That is what we celebrate tonight.”

And what a celebration it was. In the capable hands of Harry Sideropoulos, guests enjoyed cuisine tastefully seasoned with jokes and skits.

Three lucky attendees also walked away with grand prizes, which included cars sponsored by Nissan and a baby grand piano from Yamaha. Adding some variety to the evening’s offering was internationally acclaimed British singer and songwriter Alex Clare, as well as the Mzansi Youth Choir, whose skilful rendition of Gad Elbaz’s Hebrew hit Hashem Melech had guests on their feet.

Rabbi David Masinter spoke about Chabad’s upcoming projects in the months ahead. “Let’s turn the world upside down,” said Masinter. “We cannot get up early enough. Thanks to our supporters and sponsors, we can make miracles.”

This year, Masinter said, Chabad would focus on three specific initiatives. These include job-creation initiatives with sponsor Standard Bank, as well as increasing acts of goodness with the Acts of Random Kindness charity initiative and Be Kind art installations, sponsored by Liberty Life.

The third is aimed specifically at the Jewish community, involving the distribution of tehillim books to every Jew in South Africa. “We want to get a psalm book into the hands of every Jewish family in the country,” said Masinter. “Psalms have tremendous power, and we will get a copy to every child, teenager, adult, and senior member of the community.” Beyond providing the text itself, the project includes a programme to teach people about the importance of psalms.

Ending the evening on a high note, Sideropoulos performed Greek Eurovision 2010 entry Opa as dessert was served. With song in their hearts and charity on their minds, guests came away from a memorable evening ready to make the world a better place, starting a simple pair of shoes.