The gala, ‘An Evening of Broadway,’ at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, will highlight its Rachel Coalition Domestic Violence Legal Services.
(Courtesy of JFS MetroWest) Rachel Coalition, a division of JFS, assists over 1,000 victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, as well as individuals living in high-conflict relationships each year. They improve the lives of those affected by abuse—the victims, their children and their families. Their professionals provide guidance, support and safe alternatives through counseling and legal services including direct legal representation and consultation for domestic violence proceedings in family court. Clients are also assisted with obtaining final restraining orders, which may include custody, visitation and child support. Rachel Coalition also conducts comprehensive training and ongoing mentorship to pro bono attorneys interested in helping victims of domestic violence secure safety through the legal system.
At its upcoming gala, JFS will be honoring Melanie and Alan Levitan and Joanne and Arthur Weinbach for their support of JFS and Rachel Coalition Legal Services through the years.
Melanie and Alan Levitan, of Morristown, have been committed to JFS and the community for many years, volunteering their time, knowledge and support. Melanie has held various leadership roles including chair of Rachel Coalition, chair of Rachel Coalition Legal Committee and, 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 and non-profit boards including vice chair of the Community Food Bank of NJ Board and president of the board at Morris Arts. In 2017, he founded the Arts & Culture Collaborative of Morris County. Melanie and Alan are honored to be recognized for their impact at JFS and Rachel Coalition.
Joanne and Arthur Weinbach, formerly of Short Hills, currently of West Orange, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 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 and 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 and the retired chair of Broadridge Financial Solutions and CA Technologies. He has served on several nonprofit boards, including NJ Seeds and United Way of Tri-State. Today, under the umbrella of JFS, Joanne and Arthur are proud and thrilled to both recognize and support the significant and varied work that enhances and continues to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Volunteer Awards will be presented to individuals who made an impact through their work and service for Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ clients.
Emily Bordens, principal at Bressler, Amery & Ross, will receive the Pro Bono Attorney Award. She is dedicated to serving their 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 benefited greatly from Emily’s work.
Gail Abramowitz will receive the Maxine Myers Volunteer Award. She 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.
JFS is very appreciative of all the companies who have supported JFS through corporate partnerships and sponsorships of this event. Corporate Partners to date include:
Hall of Fame Level: ADP, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Sunrise Shoprite
Heroes Level: BNE Real Estate, JP Morgan, Lereah Financial Group, Paul Miller Porsche, Planned Companies, Preferred Client Group, Shufro Rose
Corporate Single Event Sponsors: The Falkin Group, Goldman Sachs, Greenberg Taurig LLP, Lowenstein Sandler, McCarter & English, New Frontier, Stifel, Union Beverage Packers, Matthew Libien/Wells Fargo Advisors
To learn more about becoming a corporate partner, visit www.jfsmetrowest.org/partnerships.
The event will also include entertainment by Broadway stars Jackie Burns and Jill Abramovitz.
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.
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 Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, L&O SVU, The Last OG, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Madam Secretary, and the Good Wife.
General admission tickets are $200 per person. Benefactor tickets are $360 per person. Sponsorships are available for this community event. All sponsorships include recognition in pre- and post-event publicity, tickets, printed materials and a digital ad. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $25,000.
Visit the website at www.jfsmetrowest.org/gala23 to learn more about JFS MetroWest NJ and to purchase tickets. Please call 973-765-9050 if you have any questions or need additional information.
