ANNUAL JFS GALA
An Evening of Broadway
Monday, May 15, 2023 7:00 PM
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Short Hills, New Jersey
ANNUAL JFS GALA
An Evening of Broadway
Monday, May 15, 2023 7:00 PM
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Short Hills, New Jersey
Join JFS MetroWest for
An Evening of Broadway
as we honor
Melanie & Alan Levitan
Joanne & Arthur Weinbach
for their support of JFS & Rachel Coalition Domestic Violence Legal Services
Since 1861, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ (JFS) has been helping children, teens, couples, adults, older adults, & families manage life’s challenges & enhance their wellbeing.
Rachel Coalition, a division of JFS, assists over 1,000 victims of domestic violence & intimate partner violence, as well as individuals living in high conflict relationships each year. We improve the lives of those affected by abuse – the victims, their children, & their families. Our professionals provide guidance, support, & safe alternatives through counseling & legal services including direct legal representation & consultation for domestic violence proceedings in Family Court. Clients are also assisted with obtaining final restraining orders which may include custody, visitation, & child support. Rachel Coalition also conducts comprehensive training & ongoing mentorship to pro bono attorneys interested in helping victims of domestic violence secure safety through the legal system.
Thank you to all of our generous supporters. You make our work possible.
View our JFS Giving Society members here:
Major Gifts Society, 1861 Society, Planned Giving Society.
If you are paying by check or donor advised funds, please use this form.
Melanie & Alan Levitan
Melanie & Alan Levitan have been committed to JFS & our community for many years, volunteering their time, knowledge, & support. Melanie has held various leadership roles including Chair of Rachel Coalition, Chair of Rachel Coalition Legal Committee, & most recently, JFS Board President. She continues to serve as Immediate Past President on the JFS Executive Committee. Melanie has also served as President of NCJW West Morris. Alan has served in leadership positions on several public company & non-profit boards including Vice Chair of the Community Food Bank of NJ Board & President of the Board at Morris Arts. In 2017, he founded the Arts & Culture Collaborative of Morris County.
Melanie & Alan are honored to be recognized for their impact at JFS & Rachel Coalition.
Joanne & Arthur Weinbach
Joanne & Arthur Weinbach have been supportive partners of JFS over the years. Joanne was an early Chair of Rachel Coalition. During her tenure, the need for legal services for victims of domestic violence was recognized & The Weinbachs seeded the money needed to help launch Rachel Legal Services. Joanne was also an active NCJW Board Member. Arthur is the retired Chair and CEO of ADP & the retired Chair of Broadridge Financial Solutions & CA Technologies. He has served on several non profit Boards, including NJ Seeds & United Way of Tri-State.
Today, under the umbrella of JFS, Joanne & Arthur are proud & thrilled to both recognize & support the significant & varied work that enhances & continues to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY
Donations
Raised To Date
$275,000
Thank you for your support!
We are nearing our goal of $300,000.
of our goal met
Our Event Supporters
Enjoy the Broadway Prowess of
Jackie Burns & Jill Abramovitz
Jackie Burns was Broadway’s longest running Elphaba in Wicked. She replaced Idina Menzel in the National Tour of If/Then and was a part of the original Broadway company. Other credits include the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair (OBC) and Rock of Ages. Jackie has sung all over the world with Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer, Frank Wildhorn. She recently completed a successful run as the lead character in the new musical, A Walk on the Moon.
Jill Abramovitz is a stage and television actress whose Broadway credits include Beetlejuice (Maxine/Juno), as well as Fiddler, Cinderella, 9 to 5, and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. On TV, she’s had recurring roles on Chicago Med and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and has also appeared in Bluebloods, The Blacklist, L&O SVU, The Last OG, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, as well as the upcoming film, Daughter of the Bride.
Volunteer Award Recipients
Rachel Coalition Pro Bono Attorney Award:
Emily Bordens
Emily Bordens is a Principal at Bressler, Amery & Ross Inc. She is dedicated to serving our clients and is a leader in the domestic violence community. She has represented domestic violence victims seeking restraining orders with tremendous kindness, compassion, and professionalism. Emily has also served as a mentor for Bressler associates who have taken cases on behalf of Rachel Coalition. Rachel Coalition clients have benefitted greatly from Emily’s work.
Maxine Myers Volunteer Award:
Gail Abramowitz
Gail has volunteered with JFS since April 2019 when she joined the former Cooking Companions program, which matched isolated older adult clients with a volunteer. They’d cook and then enjoy a meal together. Gail was matched with a 93-year-old homebound man and the two quickly forged a strong bond.
Since then, Gail has supported him via phone during the pandemic and returned in-person through Tessie’s Touch, a program funded by a private donor to bring joy to older adults through outings and activities. Gail supported and visited him regularly until the end of his life. Gail is an amazing example of how one person can profoundly impact life for an aging older adult.
To learn more about these volunteer programs and how you can get involved, click here.
Event Committee
Event Chairs: Rachel Braverman & Jessica Gantman
Board President: Andrea G. Bier
Event Committee: Pamela Davis, Nancy Eskow, Pam Fishman, Terri Friedman, Lynn Gruber, Linda Jacobs, Lois Kaish,
Merle Kalishman, Lisa Lindauer, Emily Neider, Robin Polson, Lawrence Rein, Sandi Rosenbaum, & Rachel Goodman Wilf
