(Courtesy of JFSCNJ) The Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey (JFSCNJ) Gala Dinner will be held Wednesday evening, December 18, at the Crystal Plaza, Livingston, New Jersey. The dinner is the main fundraising event that benefits the agency’s work on behalf of the community.

Scott Krieger of Livingston, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, will receive the coveted Lilly K. Gottlieb Award. Scott is a past president of the Jewish Community Foundation and a former United Jewish Appeal Campaign chair, among many other leadership positions. He is also active in a variety of other Jewish communal organizations, including serving as a board member of Suburban Torah Center in Livingston. Scott grew up in Cranford and currently lives in Livingston with his wife, Robyn. They have three sons, Dan, Eric and Josh

Gail and David Salomon of Cranford, New Jersey, will receive the Miriam S. Karch Award. The Salomon’s have been active members of Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim (TBEMC) of Cranford for over 30 years where they have held numerous leadership positions. They have developed a strong connection between retired members of TBEMC and the JFS Federal RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). TBEMC’s RSVP volunteers can be seen regularly helping the greater community through the JFS Charlotte Shak Food Pantry, social programs and many other programs where volunteers are needed. Gail and David are the proud parents of Daniel and Rebecca, along with their spouses, Laura and Andrew, and proud grandparents of new grandson Nathan.

Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky, executive director of Bris Avrohom and rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Torah Ohel Yosef Yitzchok, Hillside, New Jersey, will receive the JFSCNJ Rabbinic Leadership Award. A son of refuseniks, Rabbi Kanelsky spent part of his childhood hiding from the KGB in a cellar until the family was able to emigrate to Israel and then to the United States. Rabbi Kanelsky graduated from the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva—770 Eastern Parkway where he received his rabbinic ordination. He has been a shaliach of the Rebbe since 1979, at the helm of Bris Avrohom, the organization that was founded and named by the Rebbe. Bris Avrohom is in close contact with over 30,000 individuals and operations within the state of New Jersey with three active branches in Hillside, Fair Lawn and Jersey City. Rabbi Kanelsky is also the spiritual leader for the growing Congregation Shomrei Torah Ohel Yosef Yitzchok in Hillside. The Bat Sheva Chaya Esther Mikvah and Cheder Yaldei Menachem operate under the auspices of Bris Avrohom with Rebbitzen Shterney Kanelsky at their helm.

Arielle Traub and Rabbi Ethan Prosnit, of Westfield, New Jersey, will receive the Ruth Bilenker Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Arielle has been a Board Member of JFSCNJ for the past three years and has served on both the 5K Walk/Run and Gala Dinner Committees during this time. Arielle is a senior manager with Manatt Health, an integrated consulting and legal services subsidiary of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. Rabbi Ethan Prosnit is a rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield and through his work, has collaborated with JFSCNJ to support programs for Temple Emanu-El’s Lavy House. Additionally, he encourages his b’nai mitzvah students to fulfill their b’nai mitzvah service projects with JFSCNJ. Arielle and Ethan are the proud parents of Caleb and Zoe.

Alexander Mirabella, vice chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, will receive the Community Service Award for his work in overseeing wide-ranging improvements in transportation and economic development, services for seniors and veterans; education and park and environmental programs. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is responsible for their support of Kosher Meals on Wheels, home health aide, nursing, social work, respite, caregiver support, transportation, the Urban Community Garden, and the Friendly Visitor Program.

For many years, the Mushett Family Foundation, spearheaded by Henry J. Daaleman, has provided generous funding for the JFS Charlotte Shak Food Pantry and reduced the waiting list to serve 30 food pantry clients each year. Henry is a retired New Jersey attorney, a former Elizabeth Elmora councilman, Union County freeholder and Westfield municipal attorney. Henry, who took over for Dr. Charles W. Mushett who established the Foundation, will accept the Community Partner Award on behalf of the foundation.

The Dinner Dance Committee includes David Brooks, Mark L. Ginsberg, Toby Goldberger, Michael H. Gottlieb, Eric Harvitt, Jennifer Marshall Sofield, Donald Shapiro, Sherry and Henry Stein, Arielle Traub and Mark Wilf. The evening’s couvert is $190 per person. The dinner’s cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Glatt kashruth will be observed.

Door prizes are spearheaded by JFSCNJ board member and past president Jennifer Marshall Sofield and board member Mark Ginsberg.

We encourage all of our friends and supporters from the community to attend this entertaining and enjoyable event and to place tribute ads in our journal. You may submit ads and reservations online at JFSCentralNJ.org/dinner, or by emailing us at [email protected] or calling the JFS office at 908-352-8375.