Schoke Jewish Family Service To Celebrate 50 Years Of Service

STAMFORD, CT — On Sunday, May 18, Schoke Jewish Family Service (Schoke JFS) will mark 50 years of dedicated service to the Fairfield County community.

The milestone will be celebrated at An Evening with Schoke JFS, a special gala event held at Temple Beth El in Stamford, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

In honor of its golden anniversary, Schoke JFS will present the 45th Annual Mitzvah Award to its dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals and families in the community. The event will be chaired by Connie Freeman and Esther Rein, with Jeri Appel serving as auction chair.

"The staff of Schoke JFS is the heart and soul of the agency, with a dedicated team of social workers, counselors, and administrative professionals who bring compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to their work," Schoke JFS said in a news release. "Whether providing counseling, supporting the elderly, offering emergency assistance, or addressing food insecurity, their tireless dedication ensures that Schoke JFS continues to have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals throughout Fairfield County."

Founded in 1975 to serve the Greater Stamford area, Schoke JFS quickly expanded in 1990 with an office in Westport, which allowed the agency to reach the towns of Westport, Weston, Wilton, and Norwalk.

Since then, Schoke JFS has continued to grow, now providing services in 15 towns, including Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Redding, Ridgefield, Stratford and Trumbull.

"What began in the late 1970s with just one secretary, a part-time director, and a part-time social worker primarily focused on helping Russian immigrants resettle has grown into a robust and diverse service provider," Schoke JFS said in a news release.

The organization now offers counseling, geriatric care services, emergency assistance, and initiatives to combat food insecurity, and it's also home to the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry and the Kosher Mobile Food Pantry, Connecticut’s only kosher food truck.

An Evening with Schoke JFS will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation, and dessert.

The event will also include an exciting paddle raise benefiting the Japha Family Emergency Assistance Program and an online auction.

General tickets, which include dinner and dessert, are available for $250.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to read bios of the event honorees, click here.