More than 150 guests gathered in the Park East Ballroom on Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Tuesday evening for the launch of the Chabad Golden Center, just two days after Simchas Torah.

The Golden Center is directed by Rabbi Yaakov Krasnianski, whose work with seniors in the community laid the groundwork for the new center. The center grows that work into a full-time division, with regular programs and events for seniors across the Upper East Side.

Rabbi Ben Tzion and Chanie Krasnianski arrived on the Upper East Side with the Rebbe’s blessing in 1991. Since then, Chabad of the Upper East Side has grown into a family of divisions, each serving a different stage of life: young families and Hebrew School, CTeen for teenagers, a college students’ program, and a young professionals’ division, along with Friendship Circle for those with special needs, the Hebrew-speaking community and the Chabad Care hospital network. The Golden Center, serving adults 60 and over, is the latest step in building one community where every member has a place.

The center will run all of its programs at Park East Synagogue, as part of Chabad’s expanding partnership with the synagogue.

The evening was held in collaboration with the Park East Sisterhood and hosted by Donna Pressman, Claudie Tanenbaum and Carla Rothman. Event planner Sara Rabbani oversaw the evening’s setup, décor and catering.

After dinner and time to mingle, Park East board member Edward Tanenbaum welcomed the guests and introduced Rabbi Yaakov Krasnianski. Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski spoke next, reading a letter of the Rebbe before addressing the guests.

The program also included remarks from Donna Pressman, a longtime friend and supporter of Chabad of the Upper East Side; Claudie Tanenbaum, president of the Park East Sisterhood; and Mrs. Chanie Krasnianski. Community member Richard Seaman gave a special musical performance.

“There is surely no need to emphasize to you at length that retiring—withdrawing oneself from active service—can only apply in such matters as business, employment, and the like. It cannot apply, of course, to a lifetime service which is related to Hashem. This Shlichus is, in the words of our Sages, ‘I was created to serve my Creator.'”
— The Rebbe