For local charitiesUnited Synagogue of Hoboken hosts ‘Casino Night’ fundraiser

The landmark Hoboken Elks Club will transform into a lavish, Vegas-style casino on Saturday Feb. 28, complete with gaming tables, professional dealers and croupiers, a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live music, and festive attire for the United Synagogue of Hoboken’s third annual Casino Night.
Although there are no cash rewards, the chips are redeemable for tickets to win prizes such as Tiffany jewelry, artwork, Mets tickets, a diamond pendant, gift certificates, a trip to Israel, and an autographed Eli Manning football.
The evening is partially sponsored by TD Bank, and is the biggest USH fundraising event of the year. USH will make generous donations to the Jubilee Center of Hoboken (which assists children in Hoboken’s public housing neighborhood) and the Jewish Family and Counseling Services of Jersey City, Bayonne, and Hoboken (JFCS).
The JFCS provides support services on a non-discriminatory basis, offering comprehensive case management for older adults, kosher nutrition programs, kosher home-delivered meals, Chai Café, and individual and family counseling.
The Jubilee Center “equips children with the tools not only to survive, but to overcome the many barriers they face in their young lives,” explained Linda Curtiss, interim manager at Jubilee. “The center offers after-school programming for over 70 children, and includes homework help, enrichment programs in the arts, a hot meal every evening, and one-on-one tutoring.”
The Casino Night steering committee has taken measures to accommodate what they expect to be the largest turnout thus far. The price of the ticket includes a complementary buffet catered by Kosher Korner of West Caldwell, as well as a full open bar.
Howard Olah-Reiken, event chairperson, explained that the food is kosher, but that it would not be the stereotypical Jewish cuisine: “If you think you know what kosher food is, you may be pleasantly surprised. Expect great chicken and salmon dishes, sushi, veggies, sides, and desserts. Really yummy stuff.”

Everyone is invited

Olah-Reiken stressed that Casino Night is an event for people of all backgrounds. “Besides the food being kosher, there is nothing else traditionally Jewish going on,” he said, “except that we like to have a good time, and always enjoy eating while we do so!”
The free chips with admission get the games started, and guests may purchase more chips on site. No gaming experience is necessary.

_____________

People of all religions are invited.
________

“The licensed gaming staff is so good at making everyone feel comfortable about playing,” Olah-Reiken said, “that even those who didn’t expect to play end up having a great time at the tables, and even winning prizes.”
The event sets the mood with casino-style music. Olah-Reiken described the band, Swingadelic, as the NYC metro area’s greatest “little big band” and a “Hoboken institution.” Swingadelic features traditional big band music of Ellington, Basie and Sinatra mixed with Ray Charles and hits from the 1960s.
The Elks Club is located at 1005 Washington St. in Hoboken. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., but no one under the age of 21 is admitted. The admission price of $70 includes the buffet, all-night open bar, plus $40 of free chips. Groups of 10 or more receive a reduced rate of $60 per person for advance tickets and free chips.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.USHCasinoNight.info, at the USH office at 115 Park Place in Hoboken, or by phone at 201-659-0150. For more information, email casinonight@hobokensynagogue.org or call (201) 659-4000. Space allowing, tickets will also be available at the door.
“It may be cold outside, but Casino Night promises to be hot, hot, hot!” added Olah-Reiken. “We already know we’ll have enough of a turnout to make it a great party. Now we want to make it a great fundraiser, too.”

© 2000, Newspaper Media Group