The Aleph Learning Institute is bringing in some heavy hitters for its Nov. 10 gala event. According to the organization’s founder and director, Rochelle Kaplan of Chabad-Lubavitch of Maryland, constitutional lawyer Nathan Lewin will deliver the keynote address at “Powering for Success: The Power of One,” while sports agent and author Ronald Shapiro will serve as master of ceremonies.
“From good food to good speakers, this event will be a success,” said Kaplan. “Lewin has presented oral arguments in front of the Supreme Court over 25 times, including three huge cases regarding Jewish religious rights. We are thrilled to have him.”
Beginning at 6 p.m. at the Valley Mansion in Hunt Valley, the event is drawing on experts from such fields as law, science, technology, education, business and medicine to, in the words of Kaplan, “nourish the human spirit through Jewish education.” It will benefit the three-year-old Aleph Learning Institute, which Kaplan launched to assist Jewish men and women on their personal religious journeys. The organization runs Aleph Wednesdays’ full-day learning programs at the regional Lubavitch headquarters in Pikesville.
Kaplan believes that Judaism should enrich both the body and the mind.
“We are interested in bringing different people together from various backgrounds,” said Kaplan. “‘Powering for Success’ is a model community for learning. We want to engage the body, mind and soul and develop the right formula to help adult Jewish education thrive.”
In addition to Lewin and Shapiro, the evening’s speakers include Julia Chang Bloch, founding president of the US-China Education Trust; Leonard J. Attman, a commercial real estate developer and chairman of the board at FutureCare Health; psychiatrist Rebecca Begtrup; and Suzanne Keilson, an associate dean at Loyola University. Israeli hi-tech firm Robo Team will also give a demonstration of its latest designs.
“I was looking for people with a large variety of life experiences,” said Kaplan. “I think our speakers are upstanding individuals who are true experts in their various fields. I didn’t want this presentation to be tunnel vision. I picked a mix of men and women from different backgrounds because I wanted there to be a little something for everyone. We even have robots from Israel. Everyone will have a good time.”
Shapiro is excited about the program.
“When someone is as committed to a cause focused on nurturing the human spirit through learning as is Rochelle Kaplan, it is easy to step up and support her in an effort like ‘Powering for Success,’” he said. “Having the opportunity to emcee a group like the esteemed speakers she has assembled is an honor.”
For more information, go to alephlearninginstitute.org.
