Russell Galbut at the Colel Chabad Dinner - 2013 / 5774

normally Envy is not a good thing but we make exceptions Russell and ronal Lee galba truly live life to the fullest as family friends and business associates their achievement in both business and philanthropy are legendary Russell is a real mench with his colossal achievements he is blessed with true humility indeed he inspires and uplifts those around him in his own special way Russell and his partners are true ballet stuer on a global scale but the Crown Jewel in this rich and varied Crown is Kel kabad ronal stands by Russell and is equally involved in communal events in both Florida New York and Israel and Storch Fighters against anti-Semitism we are exceptionally proud to honor Russell and ronal Le with the leadership by example [Applause] award that's nice lead leadership by example Award presented to Russell and ronal Lee galbert an inspiration to so very many to do the right thing [Applause] always our fellow share ERS thank you so much for this beautiful honor tonight we are truly humbled by the crowd and the Beautiful way that you've always welcomed ronal and myself into this family the K kabad family today our connection feels stronger and this family stands stronger resilient as ever in its pursuit of yides kite and Sedaka I must first and foremost give thanks to my special wife frally who is the glue that holds our family together she keeps me and our girls United in love of our Jewish Heritage and connected to our Jewish community in every way she is a true ases KY and the real person who is solely deserving of this evening's award for those of you who don't know my upbringing I was fortunate to have been born of parents that have always stood and have always taught Jewish values my father Captain hman P galet of a Shalom and his co- captain my mother Bessie galet I was blessed to be raised by a father who served in the United States Navy a captain who spent time in the Pacific Theater and a mother who taught by word and example to my three brothers and myself the true meaning of Sedaka and contribution to humanity my parents and my brothers are as much responsible for getting me started on the right road to the Jewish values and the love of Torah they share in this award tonight as well it was 48 years ago when as young man when a young man brought me first to visit the rebi that young man is here tonight and he's of course our Colonel Yakov Goldstein who achieved Fame in his own right as a United States military chaplain Colonel Goldstein got it right then and has always gotten it right throughout life he sacrificed his time for the benefit of all Humanity I remember clearly the first encounter with the rebi I was only 12 years years old yet I understood immediately that I was in the presence of a man of a totally different order someone who personified spirituality and more power and capability that was beyond anyone's ordinary comprehension in the re's eyes I saw Love So Pro so profound and so full the impression is as Vivid with me today as it was then and I must also mention Shalom dman a man I have the greatest respect for and a man we would not be all sitting here tonight without shalom dman shalom dman is the epitome of kindness and love a man who would walk through fire and brimstone to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by our luab rebi the rebi stood for Truth For Love of one's fellow Jew and For the Love of All Men kind for every single man woman and child whether color whatever color whatever religion however humble however poor however simple every person was precious to our rebi and K kabad was one of the most important Charities to our rebi kabad shows compassion and respect for the down downtrodden The Humble those who may seem unimportant it is no con no coincidence that the Reby made a contribution to kok kabad every single day of his life and it is this because Sedaka is not Phil philanthropy too often philanthropy and glamour go hand inand Sedaka rather means Justice the right thing to do and that is what lubich and Kel and H kabad are all about from both myself ronal and myself we thank you again for this great honor and may hashem's blessings go with you all here tonight thank you