Chabad Jewish Center celebrates 22 years of service

“Together Making a Difference” will be the theme when Cincinnati celebrates 22 years of service and accomplishment by its Chabad Jewish Center at the Tribute Dinner Celebration, planned for Sunday, Aug. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. The reception is scheduled for 5 p.m., with dinner at 6.

The evening’s feature presentation is the outstanding and talented Ethan Bortnick, the youngest nationally touring concert pianist, composer and actor.

As an 11-year-old pianist, Ethan has been crowned the “Youngest Musician to Headline a Solo Concert Tour” by Guinness World Records. Born Dec. 24, 2000, Ethan beats out famous musicians such as Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Billy Gilman.

Born in Hollywood, Fla., Ethan pleaded for piano lessons at just 3 years old and soon discovered he could play by ear. Within two years he was composing his own music. Ethan now knows hundreds of songs and on stage can play anything from Beethoven to The Beatles.

He headlined his first show at age 6 and continued to play as the headlined artist at different shows around the world until he started his own concert tour in 2010. On Oct. 3, 2010, at the age of 9 years 9 months and 9 days, Ethan started his “Musical Time Machine” tour at the Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville, Ill., becoming the youngest to ever headline a solo tour.

Now 11, creating his own shows is old hat to Ethan. He says he doesn’t get nervous before a concert but typically plays video games until they call his name and he runs on stage. Ethan has performed all over the world with renowned artists like Elton John, Barbra Streisand and Beyoncé. He considers himself a pianist, composer, singer, entertainer and a humanitarian, having raised millions of dollars for charities through live performances. On moving forward now that he has a Guinness World Records title, Ethan says: “My biggest goal is to help as many people as I can.”

With these words of hope and confidence, Ralph S. (Mike) Michael president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, recipient of the Community Service Award, Eddie and Arlene Goldstein, recipient of the Pillar of Jewish Education Award, Simon and Florence Groner, recipient of the Chabad Recognition Award, and Brian and Robin Goldberg, recipient of the Lamplighter Award, accepted to serve as honorees for the event.

Rabbi Yisroel Mangel, director of Chabad Jewish Center said,“We will be gathering not just to celebrate past achievements, but to lay the groundwork on building our future.”