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Despite a severe recession, the United Synagogue of Hoboken got hundreds of locals to ante up for a good cause last month.

The synagogue sold 220 tickets in advance to raise about $15,000 for its Third Annual Casino Night fundraiser at the Hoboken Elks Club Feb. 28. Part of the proceeds were donated to The Jubilee Center of Hoboken, which provides after-school and summer programs for troubled youths, as well as Jewish Family and Counseling Services of Jersey City, Bayonne, and Hoboken.

Participants played casino games such as black jack, poker, and craps for the chance to win raffle tickets they used to bid on a vast array of prizes, including autographed sports memorabilia, Judaica items, jewelry, children's gifts, and even a trip to Israel.

"Even given the [economic] environment, people really respond to this program and are eager to just have a nice night out," USH President Ken Schept told Jewish Life of Hudson County. "The fact that a charity is involved adds another dimension to it."

The synagogue holds a raffle as part of the fundraiser because New Jersey law prohibits gambling-themed events where chips can be directly redeemed for prizes, event chair Howard Olah-Reikin explained.

Olah-Reikin headed a committee of 15 volunteers from USH who organized the event over the course of six months, among them Cindy Altberger, who solicited several sponsors for the evening (including TD Bank, Hoboken City Council members Beth Mason and Dawn Zimmer, and MLB Construction) as well as donors for the prizes.

"We had standard auctions before (at USH), and it kind of got stale. People weren't spending much on the gifts," Olah-Reikin said. "Here, the whole event isn't just about bidding and seeing what you won."

The entrance fee was $70 per person, up from $60 last year, but included an open bar and a full dinner buffet (catered by Kosher Korner of West Orange), both of which hadn't been present at previous USH casino nights. Swingadelic, a Hoboken-based jazz band, also performed throughout the evening.

Many tickets were sold at the door in addition to the advance purchases, generating considerable revenue for the synagogue and for the charities. Olah-Reikin originally thought of this outside-the-box fundraiser concept along with fellow USH member Robert Strell.

"It's completely consistent with our congregation. We are also non-conventional in our services, education, and many other areas," said USH Educational Director Grace Gurman-Chan. "This is just where different factions of the synagogue can join together in a setting outside of our work."

Those who attended, from USH or elsewhere, enjoyed the theme behind the fundraiser and the fun-filled atmosphere.

"It's something everyone looks forward to every year now," synagogue member Frank Rosner said. "You just let your hair down a little bit."

"It's exciting, and everyone participates. It's a fun night that supports a worthy cause," Bayonne resident Marcia Ripps said.

Rosner, a comedian by trade, couldn't resist summing up the evening with a snappy joke.

"This is the Gomorrah part of the Bible," he said.