NJ Community Leaders Honored At Jewish Family Service’s Annual Gala

NEW JERSEY — The following news release comes courtesy of the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

On Wednesday May 28, over 330 guests gathered at Brooklake Country Club for the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ (JFS) Annual Gala for the organization’s first-ever sold-out gala and most successful event to date. The event raised more than $350,000 in support of critical JFS programs, including mental health services, senior support, and domestic violence programs.

The energy in the room was electric as the agency celebrated an evening of generosity, community, and resilience. Guests were welcomed by JFS Board President Steven Glass, who opened the night with a heartfelt address reflecting on both the past year and the power of the community's support.

“What an incredible evening,” Glass began. “This is our first-ever completely sold-out gala, so thank you all for joining us. The only reason we’ve been able to keep steady through all the disruption and uncertainty is because of you — our supporters. Your commitment has made it possible for us to keep showing up, day after day.”

Glass praised the strength and dedication of the JFS staff, noting, “Their steady hands and compassion allow JFS to keep meeting the moment. One doesn’t work without the other—we are so grateful for them, and for you.”

The program included recognition of four outstanding honorees whose leadership and generosity exemplify JFS’s mission:

JFS LIFETIME PHILANTHROPY AWARD: THELMA & RICHARD FLORIN (WEST ORANGE, NJ AND PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL)

The Florins have spent decades bringing their limitless energy, leadership skills, and resources to vital community projects. Through their unwavering philanthropic support, dedication, and commitment to JFS and Rachel Coalition, they’ve played an instrumental role in helping us build a healthier and stronger community. Thelma and Richie have been involved with JFS since the late 90’s, both as loyal donors and engaged volunteers. Thelma was a founding member and past chair of Rachel Coalition, the domestic violence division of JFS. Thelma and Richie endowed the Florin Education Series, a yearly educational event, which brings in renowned speakers to raise awareness about domestic violence. They also significantly contributed to JFS with the naming of the Florin Family Library, Family Support Center, and the Florin Family Waiting Room. Richie was instrumental in helping at the Run for Rachel and other Rachel Coalition events by donating personalized “swag bags” for all participants. Thelma and Richie have also served on many local Jewish organization boards and have supported many local programs, including at their synagogue, Temple B’nai Jeshurun.

JFS recognized Thelma and Richie Florin with the JFS Lifetime Philanthropy Award.

JFS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: TERRI FRIEDMAN (LIVINGSTON)

Terri Friedman is a long-time volunteer for Rachel Coalition and in the broader Jewish community. She has served on the Rachel Coalition Steering Committee and currently co-chairs the Rachel Coalition Outreach Committee, raising awareness of domestic violence in our community and fundraising to support Rachel Coalition domestic violence counseling and legal programs. Terri also serves on the JFS Fundraising Committee.

Terri is a member of the Board of Trustees of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest where she recently served as the Vice Chair for Federation’s Centennial Local Community Engagement and as a Vice-Chair for the 2023 Centennial Mega-Mission to Israel. She also serves on the Boards of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest’s Women’s Philanthropy as well as National Women’s Philanthropy for Jewish Federations of North America. Terri is the current co-chair of the JCC Metrowest New Jersey Jewish Film Festival and has held additional leadership positions at her synagogue and other area nonprofits.

Terri prides herself on being a connector and a convener. She encourages friends, family, and even strangers to join her in both service and philanthropy. Terri and her husband Mark live in Livingston, NJ where they raised their family. JFS presented Terri with the JFS Community Impact Award recognizing the significant contributions Terri makes to our community.

JFS COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD: NEW FRONTIER (MILLBURN/SHORT HILLS)

New Frontier, a strategic marketing and web development agency based in Millburn, has proudly partnered with JFS and Rachel Coalition for over a decade. Most recently, New Frontier created the jfsmetrowest.org website, allowing the agency to showcase its services in unprecedented ways and enabling website visitors to seamlessly support the agency. New Frontier adding creative touches to the JFS website such as an “escape” button on the domestic violence page to ensure domestic violence victims can safely exit the website without their search history being detected

Founded in 2012 by former JFS Vice President David Sorkin, this 12-member agency has been called a New York-style agency with the accessibility and cost control of a small business consultancy, sharing the same in-house talent and industry leading creative resources as the larger agencies, without the red tape and overhead found at larger counterparts. Most recently, New Frontier has expanded its reach through “StoreFront” a program recognized by the State of New Jersey for its positive impact on over 200 small businesses and countless charitable efforts statewide. Visit newfrontier.com/storefront to learn more.

JFS presented New Frontier with the JFS Community Partner Award and look forward to many more years of impactful collaboration and partnership.

JFS MAXINE MYERS VOLUNTEER SERVICES AWARD: HOWARD MEDOW (LIVINGSTON)

Howard Medow has been volunteering with Reading Buddies since 2019, where he started at Redwood Elementary. During the pandemic, he pivoted to meal and care package delivery to at-risk older adults and Holocaust survivors which he continues to the present day. When Reading Buddies returned in-person in 2022, so did Howard, who now volunteers at Betty Maddalena, a Pre-K for students with disabilities where he is beloved by students and teachers alike. Howard is dedicated, flexible, and always willing to step up where needed to make sure the program is running smoothly and the kids are getting the attention they need. Howard credits his wife, Marion who is a JFS Past President with inspiring him and their adult children to volunteer. Volunteering is a Medow family tradition. JFS presented Howard with the JFS Maxine Myers Volunteer Award.

The evening also included powerful messages of gratitude to the Gala Co-Chairs Linda Jacobs and Emily Neider, the JFS Board of Trustees, and CEO Diane Squadron, along with recognition of Major Gifts Society members, sponsors, corporate partners, and new supporters alike.

The event committee was led by co-chairs Linda Jacobs (Livingston) and Emily Neider (Short Hills). The rest of the committee included Andrea G. Bier (West Orange), Elizabeth Bier (Caldwell), Rachel Braverman (Short Hills), Alyssa Bressler (Short Hills), Michelle Cohen (West Orange), Pamela Davis (Short Hills), Nancy Eskow (Livingston), Rachel Fink (Caldwell), Pam Fishman (Short Hills), Jessica Gantman (Short Hills), Steven J. Glass (West Orange), Rebecca Gold (Mountain Lakes), Lynn Gruber (Short Hills), Jane Langendorff (Short Hills), Lisa Lindauer (Livingston), Carol Marcus (Bloomingdale), Carrie Nussbaum (Short Hills), Robin Polson (Maplewood), Sandi Rosenbaum (Short Hills), and Rachel Goodman Wilf (Short Hills).

As the organization looks ahead, JFS remains committed to building a healthier, stronger, and a more connected community—and is deeply grateful to all who help make that work possible.

EVENT SPONSORS

HERO - Carrie & Jed Nussbaum

CHAMPION - Dianne & William Jayne III and Pauline & Dale Jayne, Melanie & Alan Levitan, Emily & Brian Neider, David Tepper Charitable Foundation, Joanne & Arthur Weinbach, Rachel & Jonathan Wilf, Jane & Mark Wilf and The Wilf Family

LEGEND – Anonymous, Andrea G. & Bryan Bier, Elizabeth & Jeffrey Bier, Monique Dorman, Nancy & Robert Eskow, Pam & Michael Fishman, Merle Glass, Terri & Michael Goldberg, Jane & Frank Langendorff and Robin & John Florin, Dana & Peter Langerman, Ellen & Donald Legow, Marion & Howard Medow, Estate of Maxine Myers, Shelley & Josef Paradis, Evan Ratner, Sandi & Mark Rosenbaum, Ethel & Robert Singer, Marian & Robert Stern

ICON - Isabell Adler, Rachel & Jeff Braverman, Alyssa & Andrew Bressler, Debra & Ken Caplan, Fred Cohen & Karyn Klein, Sylvia Cohn, Myrna & Leonard Comerchero, Jodi & Wayne Cooperman, Betsy & Philip Darivoff, Celia Lipton Farris & Victor W. Farris Foundation, Lori Feinberg Kany, Thelma & Richard Florin, Terri & Mark Friedman, Audrey Gaelen, Melanie & Steven Glass, Jane & Amir Gold, Lynn & Gabriel Gruber, Ellen & David Hyman, Linda & Mel Jacobs, Genesia & Steven Kamen, Robin & Jeffrey Karp, Eta & Mark Levenson, Lisa & Erik Lindauer, Carol & Robert Marcus, Jessica Olshen & Daniel Marcus, Maxine B. Murnick, Susan & Doug Present, Lawrence Rein, Marcia Robbins-Wilf & Perry Robbins, Ann & Mel Schaffer, Lori & David Schlanger, Francine & Jim Schneider, Harriet & Bart Schneiderman, Karen Secular & Doron Grosman, Poppy & Richard Segal, Randi & David Silverstein, Sherry & Henry Stein, Amy & Ira Steinberg, Wendy & Stephen Weinstein, Debbie & Wayne Zuckerman

STAR - Jody & Jonathan Caplan, The Elchoness Family, Rachel & Rob Fink, Friends of Terri Friedman, Rebecca & Mitchell Gold, Andrea & Warren Grover, Abbi & Jeremy Halpern, Jespy House , Jill & Alan Johnson, Stanley Kaish, Gina & Kenneth Mandelbaum, Linda & Marc Press, Ina & Mark Roffman, Lynn & Peter Sayre, Temple B’nai Jeshurun

VIP- Abbey & Richard Aborn, Shari Brandt & Brett Popolow, Karen Cherins, Debra & Seth Cohen, Pamela & Jordan Davis, Madeline & Charles Dreifus, John Fanburg/ Brach Eichler, Betty Feinberg, The Francis Family, Susan & Alan Gallinson, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, Barbara & George Kramer, Jean & Mark Mandell, OFH Office Furniture & Design, Bobbi & Barry Ostrowsky, James W. Reiman, Karen & Gary Rose, Leslie Dannin Rosenthal & David Rosenthal, Randi & Eric Sellinger, Marilyn Smilowitz, Beth Turetsky & Ned Levine, Linda & Jeffrey Zissu

CORPORATE PARTNERS

BNE Real Estate, Crystal Plaza, Goodwin Proctor, Jerry Rose Floral Design, Lereah Financial Group, Online Computers, Paul Miller Porsche, Preferred Client Group, Shufro Rose, Sunrise ShopRite

CORPORATE EVENT SPONSORS

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Goldman Sachs, Matthew Libien/Wells Fargo Advisors, New Frontier, Newmark Associates, Nuts.com, Planned Companies, Print Media, SAX, LLC, Stifel

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