Tribute Dinner, Beth David Synagogue Fundraiser Set for Nov. 13

 Two couples, pillars in West Hartford’s Jewish community, will be honored Nov. 13 during an evening of tributes, laughs and great food at Beth David Synagogue, 20 Dover Road, West Hartford.

The evening tribute and fundraising event for the synagogue will honor Bruce and Roberta Singer and Harry and Robyn Weller, who have long been involved in synagogue and community life in the region.

Besides honoring the two couples, the evening will feature Keith Barany, called “the best American comedian you’ve never heard of.” Barany wrote for the TV comedy “Seinfeld.” He is known for improvisation and comedy that is  tasteful without being corny. He entertained U.S. troops overseas, and shared the stage with Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Ray Romano, Jon Stewart, Joan Rivers and the late Bob Hope.

Kosher chef Marge Gussak will cater the dinner.

Bruce Singer, a West Hartford native whose parents were among the earliest members of Beth David Synagogue, has been president of Puritan Furniture Mart, one of the largest furniture stores in the Hartford region, since 1989. He has been active in many business, health care and Jewish institutions, including the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Yale’s Cancer Center, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford, Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford, as well as the Mandell Jewish Community Center and Hartford area shelters. He also has donated furniture to the Chabad Jewish Center of Glastonbury.

Bruce has established various endowments and been involved in many fundraising campaigns including the University of Hartford’s Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and the Hebrew High School of New England.

His wife, Roberta, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., moved to Connecticut in 1997, and soon began working for the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Mass. She has been involved in many volunteer positions including chairing the Hartford Jewish Film Festival, Jewish Federation’s Voices event, Solomon Schechter’s 2010 concert at the Bushnell, and the 25th anniversary celebration of the Greenberg Center. She and Bruce live in West Hartford with their daughter, Eliana, who attends Solomon Schechter Day School.

The Wellers have been active members of Beth David since joining 30 years ago. Harry has been a synagogue board member for most of the past 25 years, a former president, vice president and ritual chair. He also has served on the Judaic board at the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford and been involved at the Chabad House of Greater Hartford. He is a senior assistant state’s attorney in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, working for the state Division of Criminal Justice.

Robyn has been a teacher for 35 years, including 30 years teaching at Granby Memorial Middle School and Granby Memorial High School, both winning honors as “School of the Year.” At Beth David, she served as president and vice president of the Sisterhood, planned numerous synagogue dinners, and served on the rabbi selection committee and nominating committee. She serves on Beth David’s chesed committee, cooking meals for the elderly, the infirm and women who are pregnant or have recently given birth.

Together, the Wellers helped revitalize Beth David several years ago, starting a young couple’s club, as well as serving as adult advisors of the synagogue’s National Council of Synagogue Youth. Robyn is a native of West Hartford. Harry of Long Branch, N.J. They have two daughters, Sarah, a teacher at the Jerusalem American International School; and Elayna, about to complete BS degree at University of Connecticut’s School of Nursing.

Tickets are $100, and advanced reservations will be accepted through Nov. 5. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Beth David Synagogue at 860-236-1241 or email the synagogue at beth.david.syn@snet.net.