San Diego CA— Jewish Family Service of San Diego raised a record-setting $1.25 million at its annual Heart & Soul Gala at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine on April 21. Evelyn and Ernest Rady matched the donations of guests who raised their paddle during Fund-a Mitzvah to support JFSs ongoing efforts to help people in crisis move forward, while developing innovative strategies to break cycles of poverty and strengthen the San Diego community.
This years Heart & Soul Gala was an incredible celebration of our first 100 years, and an important beginning to our next 100 years, said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins. The support we have received from the community is deeply humbling and will provide the vital resources to help San Diegans build more stable, secure lives.
With more than 600 guests, community leaders and partners in attendance, the event also celebrated the contributions of the 2018 Mitzvah Honorees, who represented the agencys legacy of leadership by extraordinary women over the last 100 years:
- Marsha Berkson, a former JFS board member who founded the Hand Up Food Pantry, a successful youth leadership program designed to alleviate hunger in the community
- Jenny Daniel, an employment coordinator for JFSs Refugee & Immigration Services Department responsible for helping hundreds of individuals and families restart their lives in San Diego
- Estee Einhorn, who served as one of the founding teens for the Hand Up Food Pantry, the hub for all food assistance programs at JFS
- Inge Feinswog for her significant contributions to the nonprofits programs that serve Holocaust Survivors and older adults
- Kira Finkenberg, a current JFS board member who also served as a Heart & Soul Gala chair for several years
- Evelyn Rady, for her longtime generous support of JFS and for her work as JFSs former director of clinical services, overseeing the agencys counseling and family support programs.
- Lois Richmond, a former board member and longtime supporter who first became involved with JFS through its Russian Resettlement program in the 1980s
- Jill Spitzer, who served as CEO of JFS for 26 years and helped the agency grow into the multi-faceted social service organization it is today
Organized by Gala Chairs Jamie Carr, Erin Combs Pearl and Karin Toranto, the Roaring Twenties-themed evening included dinner, dancing and a celebration of JFSs 100-year history of work in the community.
More than 95 underwriters generously supported the event, including a longtime anonymous JFS donor as the Presenting Underwriter. Title Underwriters included Charitable Adult Rides & Services, Inc. (CARS), Marie G. Raftery and Dr. Robert A. Rubenstein, Vivien and Jeffrey Ressler, and Lois J. Richmond and family. Premier Underwriters included Joan and Irwin Jacobs, and the Loonin Family Fund. Dinner Underwriters included Liz Nederlander Coden and Daniel Coden, M.D., Hon. Lynn Schenk and Hugh Friedman, zl, and U.S. Bank. Heart of the Family Underwriters included Marsha Berkson, Jamie, Bryce and Tyler Carr, the Cohn Family Foundation, Emily and Daniel Einhorn, Marcia Foster Hazan and Mark Cammell, Gary and Lisa Levine of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arlene and Louis Navias, Karen and Jeffrey Silberman, Elyse K. Sollender, Sarah zl and Nessim Tiano, and UC San Diego.
To learn more, visit www.jfssd.org.
About Jewish Family Service of San Diego Moving Forward Together
Founded in 1918, Jewish Family Service (JFS) is one of San Diegos most impactful nonprofit agencies providing resources and support to more than 25,000 San Diegans every year. Through integrated services, the organization empowers people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to overcome challenges, set goals, and build more stable, secure, and connected lives. JFS is committed to helping individuals and families in crisis move forward, while developing innovative strategies to break cycles of poverty and strengthen our San Diego community. To get help, volunteer, or learn how you can join us in Moving Forward Together, visit www.jfssd.org or call (858) 637-3000.