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Community Corner

Jewish Family Service's Heart & Soul Gala 2014

The Annual Heart & Soul Gala of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2014 starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. This year’s theme, Believe in Love, celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of the 2014 Mitzvah Award Honorees Carol and Rick Kornfeld for their commitment to providing opportunities to children through mentoring and caring support (Jewish BIGPals, A Mentor, A Role Model, and A Friend); and Karen Foster Silberman for her passion for women and teens living in a safe environment free of unhealthy relationships and abuse (Project SARAH, Stop Abusive Relationships At Home). The event will also have a Special Tribute to remember Alice Cohn who was a passionate supporter of the community and helped those who were facing hunger  (Hand Up Youth Food Pantry – No One Should Go Hungry). To purchase tickets and discover patron opportunities, call (858) 637-3057 or visit www.jfssd.org/gala

The Believe in Love gala, co-chaired by April Fink & Mathew Fink, Karin & Tony Toranto, and Jennifer Kagnoff, will feature an acoustic performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist Matisyahu. Since first emerging on the international stage in 2005, Matisyahu has influenced modern Jewish culture through his music in a way few others have while simultaneously transcending the Judaism that inspires it by attracting fans from all walks of popular culture and religious backgrounds. Learn more about Matisyahu at www.matisyahuworld.com 

The Heart & Soul Gala is a major fundraiser for JFS, a nonprofit human service organization.  JFS provides more than 50 programs to the community including the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry, JFS Employment & Career Services, three Social & Wellness Centers for Adults 60+, Jewish BIGPals, On the Go: Transportation Solutions for Older Adults, Project SARAH (domestic abuse awareness and support), and many more. Last year, the Gala raised more than $850,000 to support these vital programs. JFS continues to meet the ever-growing and ever-changing needs of our community. 

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About the Honorees

Carol & Rick Kornfeld, Jewish BIGPals

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When Rick and Carol Kornfeld discovered the Jewish BIGPals youth mentoring program and its proven positive impact on self-esteem, Jewish identity, and interpersonal relationships, they knew they had to be involved. They strongly believe that all children deserve to feel cared for and supported in every facet of life. Their support of Jewish BIGPals ensures that scores of youngsters in our community get the support they need to grow into healthy and happy adults.

Karen Foster Silberman, Project SARAH

From collecting clothes to tireless promotion, Karen Foster Silberman donates her time generously to Project SARAH. Karen singlehandedly brought to life and now coordinates the “Sell your Sole…Consign for a Cause” fundraiser, established an account at My Sister’s Closet consignment shop, and speaks at many women’s events, encouraging others to donate their gently-used apparel to benefit Project SARAH. Her hands-on work and support ensures that women and teens in our community can live in a safe environment, free of unhealthy relationships, and abuse.  Never one to stand still, Karen says, "My dream is to open a JFS Thrift Store to support all of JFS programs and to serve as a job training site for JFS clients."

A Special Tribute to Alice Cohn

Alice Cohn’s tradition of service inspired all who knew her. She spent her life giving back to the communities she called home and treated everyone she met as members of her beloved extended family. Alice’s own family began in Queens, New York, where she met her future husband, Phil. After marrying, the pair packed up and opened grocery stores in small towns across the Midwest, always remaining involved in the Jewish community. Today, the Cohn family leads the San Diego restaurant industry and exemplifies a commitment to feeding the hungry. From providing the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry with grocery gift cards to donating funds when the pantry runs low, their generosity has ensured that the most vulnerable among us have enough to eat.

Underwriters

The Heart & Soul Gala is very thankful for its sponsors which make this event possible. Thank you to Charitable Adult Rides & Services, Inc and an anonymous donor who are the Title Sponsors. Presenting Sponsors include US Bank, Pauline Foster, Joan & Irwin Jacobs, Marie G. Raftery & Robert A. Rubenstein. A complete listing of underwriters is available at www.jfssd.org/gala

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ABOUT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

Since 1918, Jewish Family Service of San Diego has been a trusted community resource for people in times of need. Our 50+ programs offer a wide range of help and care to Empower Families, Respond to Crisis, and Care for Seniors throughout San Diego County and the Coachella Valley. Many people turn to Jewish Family Service with a specific need, such as hunger. But what begins with one JFS program often leads to providing a much larger scope of assistance, including counseling, education, job coaching, transportation, and more. Our message to the more than 35,000 individuals and families in our community who we help each year is: WE’RE WITH YOU. To learn why JFS is One Source for a Lifetime of Help, visit www.jfssd.org.

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