Sharon's Young Israel Celebrating Special Residents

Saturday night, will recognize some of Sharon's special community members surrounded by what makes Sharon special.

Young Israel's 40th Annual Community Celebration is at 8 p.m. Saturday at the .

The event is "really to kind of celebrate the idea of Sharon, what makes Sharon so special, and what makes Young Israel so special," Young Israel committee member Claire Venze Gebler said Wednesday.

"And part of that is being in this beautiful surroundings."

Young Israel will present Susie and David Berg, Lytal Kaufman and David Schacht with Service Awards, and Jacob Blitstein with its Teen Service Award. Each honoree will receive gifts, Venze Gebler said.

The annual celebration honors community members active both in town and the Greater Sharon community, she said.

Blitstein "has done phenomenal work with an autistic child over the past number of years," she said.

"Every week, he walks over to his house and brings him here to synagogue, sits with him and really relates with him and works with him," Venze Gebler said.

"We thought that's really to be commended. He is an example for all of the other teens in the synagogue."

The Bergs have been active in Sharon in many ways, she said. Susie Berg also is director of marketing and admissions at the , which shares a building with Young Israel.

"Susie and David are huge campers, and Susie is a huge birder," Venze Gebler noted.

Kaufman is being recognized for actively reached out to new members, she said.

And Schacht has been active in Sharon's interfaith community for several years.

Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor, Young Israel's spiritual leader, will reflect on the shul's 40-year history during his remarks, Venze Gebler said.

"Part of that is choosing to live in Sharon and the beautiful community," she said.