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Beth Shalom 'Jazzed Up' For Fundraiser

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

It's not only Congregation Beth Shalom's largest fundraiser.

All Jazzed Up -- An Evening of Auctions is a multitasking event, said Jill Oppolo, chairwoman of the benefit hosted by Brandon's only Jewish synagogue.

"First of all, it's a chance to reach out to the community. This is really a fun community event. Everyone's invited," Oppolo said. "Congregation Beth Shalom has only 130 member families but last year 420 people attended All Jazzed Up."

In addition, each year half of the ticket proceeds from All Jazzed Up go to charity. The first two years, the funds went to the Southeast Hillsborough Unit of the American Cancer Society. This year, the third year of the event, the funds will go to the pediatric cancer unit of St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.

"We've lost so many children in our community to pediatric cancer recently," said Oppolo. "We just felt like this cause deserved our attention, and St. Joseph's welcomed us with open arms. We feel strongly in giving back to the community and are thrilled to be able to help this wonderful organization."

The money will be used for St. Joseph's $1 million renovation of the unit where 7,500 children with cancer are treated each year.

Though the funding has a serious side, Oppolo said the Nov. 3 event at the Crowne Plaza in Sabal Park is strictly fun.

The evening will feature a full buffet, cash bar, jazz music provided by Music Showcase musicians as well as silent and live auctions of fine art and memorabilia including guitars signed by Jimmy Buffet and the Rolling Stones. The artwork ranges from $100 to thousands of dollars.

That's one more task the event fulfills, said Oppolo. "It's a chance to buy someone that fantasy gift." The guitars, she said, will be featured in the live auction.

Adding to the evening's fun is the hat swap. Each year the sponsors create hats representing their businesses and then guests pay $5 for a chance to wear the hat during the evening.

"The wilder the hat, the more people are willing to pay to wear it," Oppolo said.

"We usually raise up to $1,000 on the hat swap alone," said Oppolo.

The proceeds this year will go to Team Survivor, an all-female crew team of breast cancer survivors who participate in the Dragon Boat Races on the Hillsborough River in Tampa each year.

Nine months in the making, the All Jazzed Up event provides educational opportunities at the temple including a scholar-in-residence during the coming year.

The event will get under way at 6 p.m. with a sponsor party followed by an auction preview at 6:45. The bidding will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25. Call (813) 681-6547 or e-mail alljazzedupauction@yahoo.com.

Founded in 1990 by a dozen Brandon families, Congregation Beth Shalom met in various buildings until its permanent home was erected at 706 Bryan Road, Brandon in 2000. The synagogue houses a sanctuary, classrooms for religious school and the congregation's Torah, inscribed in Poland more than 200 years ago. The temple's leader is Rabbi Betsy Torop, who came to Congregation Beth Shalom in 2003. Organizations at the temple include the Sisterhood, the Men's Club, the Senior Youth Group, DayTimers and Torah Tots. Friday night Shabbat Services take place at 7:45 p.m. Shabbat morning services for B'nei Mitzvah take place at 10 a.m. Religious school meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Hebrew classes meet Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Call: (813) 681-6547.

Web site: www.bethshalom-brandon.org.

Reporter/columnist D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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