Jeff and Monique Werby, Wendy and Brad Weissman, Pam and Jason Trompeter, and Leah Flax.
A little piece of the Las Vegas strip popped up in Tidewater on the evening of Saturday, March 19.
The occasion? The Young Adult Division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s What Happens at Purim, Stays at Purim party.
Nearly 200 revelers joined in the Vegas-themed fun and dressed up to walk the red carpet at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community.
Upon entry, attendees walked the red carpet to snap a photo in front of a step and repeat. They continued past a customized YAD Vegas sign to pick up vouchers for $10,000 in chips to gamble at craps, roulette and blackjack tables.
“Even though it’s not real money we’re playing with, it still hurts to lose any of it,” said Naty Katz-Horev as she and her husband won hand after hand at the blackjack table.
Guests were able to gamble in the VIP lounge for two hours. At 10 pm, everyone cashed out, earning one raffle ticket for every $10,000 they retained. Three lucky winners received a Baker’s Crust gift card.
Callah Terkeltaub and Ashley Zittrain, What Happens at Purim, Stays at Purim co-chairs, successfully transformed the Campus into a mini Las Vegas, complete with a Little White Chuppah, Elvis impersonators, dice, and cards.
“After last year’s costume party, we decided to give guests the option of costume or cocktail attire. After all, it is Vegas.” Zittrain says. “A lot of people came in creative costumes, which made for quite the competition.”
Anyone who wanted in on the costume competition took to the stage. The audience quickly chose Big Money Lemke, who donned a suit covered in cash, sunglasses and a cane. Shawn Lemke walked away with a night at the Oceanfont Holiday Inn.
His competitors included Liberace, Celine Dion, tropical tourists, the King and Queen of Hearts, a knocked up showgirl, a Vegas wedding complete with bride and groom, a groom left at the altar, a Flamenco dancer, Star War’s Kylo Ren and Ray, The Hangover’s Alan Garne, and a male duo who said they were ‘exercising their Constitutional right’ to marriage.
Partygoers enjoyed an open bar and gourmet appetizers, including hamantaschen and sliders, and danced the night away to the beats of a live band, Cheap Thrills.
What Happens at Purim, Stays at Purim, YAD’s largest annual event, was sponsored by Tidewater Home Funding. To get involved in planning the next signature YAD event, contact Leah Abrams, YAD director, at labrams@ujft.org.
by Leah Abrams