Heschel fundraising gala a big success

More than 400 people gathered in the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley on Sun., May 7 to celebrate and raise funds for Heschel West Day School of Agoura Hills.

The benefit dinner raised more than $250,000 and was sponsored by Countrywide Financial Corp.

This year's honorees, the Wentz and Wacker families, were recognized for years of leadership and dedication to enhancing Jewish life in the Conejo Valley.

Richard Wentz, general counsel and chief ethics officer at Countrywide, received the Outstanding Leadership award. Wentz is directing the land entitlement process for the 72-acre site that the school plans to develop in Agoura Hills.

The Family Dedication award was presented to Elayne and Walter Wentz, Karen and David Wacker, Jean and Richard Wentz, and Sherri Wentz.The Shirley G. Levine Award was given to Sherri Wentz for her extensive volunteer work.

The Excellence in Education Award was presented to Lyford Rome, director of technology at Heschel West.

Participants at the gala reflected the depth and breadth of support for the Heschel West community.

Civic leaders in attendance included Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Calabasas City Councilmembers Barry Groveman and Mary Sue Maurer, and Elliott Brandt, West Coast regional director of American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Joining parents, grandparents and friends of the school were the following from Countrywide Financial Corporation: President and CEO Stan Kurland, Executive Managing Director David Sambol, and Chief Legal Officer Sandy Samuels.

"This year's theme, 'The Future is Here,' is a celebration of our development project and the

great strides we have made in bringing a quality Jewish educational institution to the Conejo Valley," said Principal Jan Saltsman. "We have created one of the most advanced technology programs in the country, but we have maintained the characteristic warmth of our community."

Heschel West is a community Jewish Day School located in

Agoura Hills since 1994. More than 230 students are currently enrolled from transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.

The Heschel West Middle School will open a seventh grade this September and an eighth grade in September 2007.

For more information, call Stephanie Levin, development coordinator, at (818) 707-2365.