Where: Hilton Park Lane

When: Sunday 10 May 2009

Who: Kisharon

Guests: 715!!! (yes, 715!!!!!!)

Set: Impressive tall purple suede set with 2 large screens, stencil graphic of the Kisharon logo in the centre.

Lighting: 2 x moving Gobos around room with the Kisharon logo, LED colourbricks around room to create atmosphere, 2 x Gobos on outer panels of set with the words ‘Our Children Our Responsibility’, LED lights running along the bottom of the set to give a soft glow. Profiles and pinspots used throughout.

Film: another Maurer classic highlighting the devastating effect of giving birth to a child with learning difficulties and the necessity for a caring, inspiring and warm organisation like Kisharon to help families cope and enable independent living for the children with disabilities.

Guest speaker: Lord Strathclyde (a last minute replacement for Michael Gove MP)

The feedback: Thanks again for organising everything for yesterday’s event. You got the tone exactly how I wanted it and I thought the evening was elegant but relaxed.

The bit before

The final product

Hi all,

We were so proud of the Hasmonean event, and even more so when we heard our dear friend Rabbi Meyer’s words.

The event was held at the Marriot, Grosvenor Square and was a real theatrical show. The appeal presentation flowed effortlessly into live performances from the students and then back into the film and all eyes were glued to the set at all times. Students entertained us with their musical skills and wowed us with their dedication to the school. We heard from the wonderfully talented Hasmonean Year 6 Boys Choir (during this performance, I must say, most jaws were almost on the floor!!!) We were so priviedged to be a part of this event and we thank everyone at Hasmonean for their hard work and support throughout! I can honestly say I have never been witness to such positive attitudes towards a school from a group of students! You should be proud of yourself Hasmonean, you have grown and developed a widely respected institution - thank you for letting Inspire be privvy to that!

What a busy week!!!!!!!

How many people come to work on a Monday morning and get excited at an idea? Before now, I never had but when one particular boss turns round and says ‘I have it!’, you know he is talking about a concept for one of two things either a. dinner project or b. a film. You can pretty much bet that the ideas came to him at some absurd time during the night when everyone else’s minds are in that zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz state! In this case it was both and the results were to be displayed last week.

It really has been a whirlwind of fine tuning and inspiration for Inspire this week- we were proud to be part of three very special events; Langdon’s annual dinner, Camp Simcha Live and a memorial dinner to remember the life of a fine young man named Marc Tager who tragically lost his life in the Lockerbie disaster of ‘88.  The ‘Simon Maurer brainstorms’ relating to this weeks events were to manifest themselves as some of the most inspirational and creative events I have ever been part of.

Lets talk Langdon first- the Park Lane Hotel, Monday 2 February. A tragic reality for some had to be translated to an audience of potential donors. The emotional drain of a life with learning difficulties outweighed by the excitement of achievements that others take for granted, was apparent. We met some extraordinary people who suffer from prejudice and ignorance on a daily basis. We were excited to be part of what became an organizational and creative success. The film came to life through the voices of our incredible speakers and the crowd listened in awe at their struggles and feats. Production wise the room looked amazing with a cleverly lit set, simple yet sophisticated, while the room was awash with chatter. My favourite part? Inputting the  silent auction bids on a very fancy and teccie system!

I have to pay tribute to the Marc Tager memorial dinner. Although I was not actually involved in this event, I feel as though I must mention that, through the images that we saw in the office and the final film that was played on the night, the Inspire team truly felt the essence of Marc Tager’s short life and were priviledged to bear witness to the coming to life of his memory through photographs and videos.

Now we come to Wenesday -  the postponed Camp Simcha dinner in the Bobby Moore room at Wembley Stadium. From the moment the reception began, it was clear that all 500+ guests were excited to be at such an event. The community spirit felt in the room was apparent and the work that Camp SImcha undertakes echoed from moving photos and constant chatter.

The pièce de résistance was indeed the overall theme; a live radio show with LBC’s Nick Ferari (a Simon Maurer classic!). A rugged steel framed set set the scene for what would be a night of emotional yo-yoing with the instant natter about the excitement of being part of a live radio show!! (yes, there were guests who truly believed the concept was reality).

To see one of the most talked about events in our office come to life with the LBC jingle echoing throughout the Bobby Moore room introducing a ‘live’ (ok ok – pre-recorded!!!!!) radio show was amazing. To see the audience be taken live through our screens to the LBC studios was immense and to see the brainchild of your boss’ idea form what will no doubt be one of the most talked about events in the Jewish community is truly inspiring.At this point I have blow Mr Maurer’s trumpet because not often does feedback come much better than this;

“Rarely - if ever - have I attended an event of any kind that has been so well received.

I thought your idea was pretty smart until its screening - I now realise it was a virtual masterclass.

You should be proud - not least as I understand it helped raise a very considerable sum for Meir and the team.

Well done or - mazeltov (if that’s how I spell it)!

best,

Nick” (as in Ferrari!!!!!!!!!)

Working on the events of this week brought together the essence of Inspire; teamwork, creativity and passion.

On a personal note, I have to say that Inspire has brought a real sense of job satisfaction for me. Working with such talented people is hard to come by (and to get on with them is even harder!!!!) and so I say thank you to Inspire for allowing me to be part of that team.

Bring on the rest of 2009!