Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Greater Dallas will celebrate 75 years at Diamond Anniversary Gala

 Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Greater Dallas will celebrate 75 years of serving the community with a Diamond Anniversary Gala on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, Trinity Ballroom. 

Co-Chairs Lori and Mike Cohen, Ann and Michael Ochstein, Karla and Larry Steinberg, and Julie and Michael Zimmermann join Honorary Co-Chairs Sharon and Eric Goldberg, Ynette and Jim Hogue, Susie and Joel Litman, Stanley Rabin, Jackie and Steve Waldman, and Donald Zale along with JFS leadership in presenting this celebratory evening. Guests will enjoy entertainment by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra as well as dancing, food stations, an open bar, silent auction, and a luxury raffle.

“As we celebrate 75 years of impact in Dallas, we hope the community will join us in honoring and commemorating the impact of our health services, which focus on physical, emotional, nutritional, and financial well-being, at this festive affair,” said Cathy Barker, CEO, JFS. “While there will be a time to sit, eat, and enjoy a program and presentation, the party atmosphere will encourage guests to be out of their chairs, mingling, dancing to the music of the Jordan Kahn Orchestra, reviewing the silent auction, and more. This is a celebration!”

During the evening, JFS will pay tribute to those whose impact has been pivotal in the nonprofit’s mission to meet the community’s needs and its continued growth by recognizing past presidents and the gala’s co-chairs and honorary co-chairs, who also make up the capital campaign leadership team.

JFS is currently building a foundation for the next 75 years through its Meeting the Moment Capital Campaign, which will culminate with an early 2026 opening of the organization’s new 100,000-square-foot home, The Karla and Larry Steinberg building, located in Addison. From an expansive food pantry, career and financial services and family violence intervention to behavioral and medical services, JFS is one of the few nonprofits that provides comprehensive services under one roof.

“Join us for a fun, elegant evening as JFS celebrates decades of life-changing impact and service to our community and discover how you might help us shape the future,” added Barker. “We are excited to build upon this 75-year legacy and transform even more lives in the decades to come.”

Tickets for the JFS Diamond Anniversary Gala are $250 and are available at https://www.jfsgala75.com/.

Sponsors of the JFS Diamond Anniversary Gala are Title Sponsor Susser Bank and event sponsors American Airlines, Central Market, Sewell, and Texas Jewish Post.

Jewish Family Service Diamond Anniversary Gala

 

Since 1950, Jewish Family Service has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives. 

From aiding refugees who arrived in Texas after World War II, to providing natural disaster relief, career training, and primary medical care, JFS is deeply proud of the 75-year legacy of service. None of this would have been possible without the generations of support from our community.

This event brings JFS closer to achieving their $40 million Meeting the Moment campaign goal, allowing them to expand their reach and ensure that impact continues for years to come.

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025

Doors open at 6:30pm | Event begins at 7:00pm

THE HILTON ANATOLE

2201 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, Texas

An evening of elegance and impact to celebrate 75 years of service

LIVE MUSIC • RAFFLE PRIZES • SILENT AUCTION 

OPEN BAR • DANCING • FOOD STATIONS

For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.jfsgala75.com

Jewish Family Service Woman to Woman Luncheon Celebrates the Value of a “ Circle of Women ” in Life as Emphasized by Keynote Speaker Helen Hunt

Jewish Family Service's Woman to Woman Luncheon on May 25 at the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel, not only marked the 10th anniversary of the beloved biennial event, but it was also the first time in more than four years the group had been able to be together in a ballroom celebrating the power, influence, and impact of women.  

Abbie Kauffman, Carol Hampton
Photo Credit: Kim Leeson

JFS quickly pivoted after Kristin Chenoweth was forced to cancel due to illness.  Helen Hunt, multi-award winning actress, accomplished writer, director and producer, stepped in to take her place.

“It was a no-brainer for me once I did a shallow dive into the work of Jewish Family Service,” shared  Hunt.  She added that supporting our neighbor is what is important as is the work of JFS – to support lifelong sustainability while keeping the dignity of the client in mind.

Linda Garner (sustaining luncheon chair), Ethel Zale (founding luncheon chair), Cathy Barker (JFS CEO)

JFS Board Chair Julie Liberman kicked off the luncheon welcoming the more than 1,000 attendees and thanking the many sponsors, organizations, family and community foundations, and corporate and individual donors for their support as well as the board and staff.

Eric Goldberg (incoming board chair), Sharon Goldberg

Rabbi Shira Wallach, of Congregation Shearith Israel, offered the invocation, leading with a powerful prayer for the victims and families of the Uvalde elementary school shooting.  Woman to Woman Sustaining Chair Linda Garner and Founding Chair Ethel Zale then took the stage expressing their excitement at how much the event has grown since the first one in 2004–an event which over the years has raised more than$4.6 million, helping to triple the number of clients served.

Meital Elfasi, Gabriela Dalfen, Carly Glickman, Donna Ostrower

WFAA's Sonia Azad introduced Helen Hunt to the stage, and the two sat down for a fireside chat. When Azad asked Hunt where she found her circle of women, Hunt said, “I’ve had no trouble. If you put out cheap snacks, they show up.” She added,“My experience with other women is that we want to be there for each other–we share strength with each other.”

Fireside Chat with Sonia Azad and Helen Hunt
Photo Credit: Randy Stewart

Hunt concluded that the event had been good for her heart and soul. “To see us all gathered here together...sharing our time.”

Luncheon co-chairs were Rachel Biblo-Block, Beverly Goldman, Julie Gothard, Marcy Kahn, Julie Liberman, Staci Rubin, and Laura Weinstein.

AWARE Affair 2021: CELEBRATE THE MOMENTS

 

Barbara Glass, president of AWARE, is delighted to announce AWARE Affair 2021: CELEBRATE THE MOMENTS – Alzheimer’s Myths Unveiled happening on Friday, April 16, 2021 and co-chaired by The Women of AWARE Affair: Carol Stabler, Barbara Glass, Stacey Jones Angel, Sharon Ballew, Stephanie Bray, Janet Broyles, Emily Collins, Karen Carney, Cheryl Chantilis, Kay Hammond, Jolie Humphrey, Karisti Julia, Josey Kennington, Wendy Kumpf, Paige Rippey Locke, Becky Mills, Holly Hull Miori, Gail Plummer, Barbara Sypult, Venise Stuart, Sharon Walker. 

          Kay Hammond is the Founders Award Honoree and Carol Stabler is the Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award honoree.  Honorary Chairs Emeriti are Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Kim and David McDavid, Jr.; Ellen Terry with her daughter Amy Terry Kriegel and son, Todd Terry.

          This fun and entertaining event will take place at the beautiful landmark, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. During the evening, guests will meander along the tree lined paths to Rosine Hall and A Tasteful Place enjoying thoughtful indoor and outdoor experiences.  

          The Charlotte and Donald Test Pavilion will feature chef driven tasting experiences and botanical cocktails. The surrounding edible gardens of A Tasteful Place will be transformed into the “AWARE Grant Recipient Gallery” featuring interactive vignettes highlighting the work of the dedicated organizations who provide programs, services, education, and resources to those living with or caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

          In the adjacent Three Sisters Lagoon Overlook, AWARE Men will present a special “Scotch and Sliders” experience and the Barbara and Bob Bigham Scenic Overlook will be transformed into an outdoor amphitheater overlooking downtown Dallas and White Rock Lake. 

          The evening will continue with an unveiling of Alzheimer’s myths, a presentation to the 2021 Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership and Founder’s Award recipients plus a rousing live auction of one-of-a-kind experiences all taking place inside Rosine Hall. Guests will also be able to bid on silent auction packages under the Rodriguez Gazebo and enjoy sweets and desserts in the Ginsburg Family Plaza. 

          This festive evening will ensure the comfort of guests and adhere to the most current safety guidelines recommended by the CDC and the WHO. For those guests unable to attend in person, AWARE will offer a simulcast Virtual Experience Catering Package which includes a four-course dinner and wine for two delivered to your home.

Underwriting begins at $5,000 to $50,000. Sponsorships and naming opportunities range from $5,000 to $25,000. Individual tickets are $350 for one; $1,000 for 2 and 2 invitations to the Patron Party; $2,500 for 2 VIP tickets with limited program seating and 2 invitations to the Patron Party. 

          Beneficiaries/Grant Recipients for 2020-2021 are: Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Casa De Vida,  Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Society, Dallas Museum Of Art, Ed-U-Care, For Love And Art, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Jewish Family Service, Juliette Fowler Communities, Plano Symphony Orchestra, The Senior Source, The Meadows Museum At Southern Methodist University, Texas Health Resources, Stomping Ground Comedy, The University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Texas Winds Musical Outreach, Visiting Nurses Association Of Texas, Wilshire Baptist Church, Myrna D. Schlegel Aware Scholarship Fund.

www.AWAREDallas.org

AWARE 2020-2021 Grant Recipients Announced

 AWARE president Barbara Glass has announced the grant recipients for the 2020-2021 year. Applications were submitted from nonprofit organizations located in Dallas and Collin County that are working on the front lines in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

The final selections have been made and the recipients are:

BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE DALLAS FOUNDATION: Salary support for the Baylor AT&T Memory Center to provide a trained specialist on site at the Center.  At the point of care patients and families are provided with disease education, caregiver training and support groups, elder law and financial planning, and a 24/7 helpline.

 BISHOP ARTS THEATRE CENTER:  Support for the Silver Stories Storytelling Circle, a continuing program incorporating stories, music, visual arts, and dance to improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

 CASA DE VIDA:  Support for the Casa de Vida program at NorthPark Presbyterian Church giving respite relief to caregivers by providing trained volunteer one-on-one care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL SOCIETY: Support for expansion of the Memory Garden nature program that incorporates horticulture, conversations, and crafts to enrich the life of those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART:  Support for Meaningful Moments, a DMA program designed to provide participants with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their families or caregivers with ways to engage in art, providing a continuing cultural opportunity regardless of the abilities.

ED-U-CARE:  Support for a symposium designed to educate caregivers about Compassion Fatigue and build resilient professionals and family members caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

FOR LOVE AND ART:  Support to bring the art experience to people with cognitive impairment and limited mobility in long term care facilities to stimulate art enrichment and memories while empowering caregivers to love people in creative and transformative ways.

HIGHLAND PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:  Support for the Journey Program, a no-fee program designed to allow participants with early stage Alzheimer’s and other dementias to thrive, while giving their caregivers much-needed respite.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE:  Support for the Older Adults Program staff to provide in-home mental health counseling, care management, and daily living support to older adults with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, allowing them to remain living in their own home.

JULIETTE FOWLER COMMUNITIES:  Support for facility dementia care programs, including the expansion of “I’m Still Here,” a six-month intensive dementia care training program for staff members throughout the Fowler communities.

PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:  Support for Healing Notes, a free music-therapy program targeted toward low-income seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. 

THE SENIOR SOURCE:  Support for the Senior Companions program matching trained volunteers with low income individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families needing assistance with meals, errands, and light housekeeping, providing caregivers with respite and/or time to work outside the home.    

THE MEADOWS MUSEUM AT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY:  Support for the Meadows Museum memory care programs, which provides social and emotional support to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, their care givers and partners through engagement with art.

TEXAS HEALTH RESOURCES:  Support for the outpatient memory care program to provide cognitive stimulation therapy, a short-term evidence-based intervention for individuals with mild to moderate dementia.

STOMPING GROUND COMEDY:  Support for the Improv for Caregivers program, a therapeutic and psycho-educational workshop that uses improvisational comedy techniques to teach caregivers effective communication skills that are specific to the needs of Alzheimer’s patients.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER:  Support for research to develop a formula that estimates how much time a patient might have from initial diagnosis of Alzheimer’s to the need for full-time care.

TEXAS WINDS MUSICAL OUTREACH:  Support for the Concerts for Seniors program providing interactive concerts in 95 nursing homes and adult day care facilities bringing joy, relief from isolation, and peace to individuals affected by memory loss.

VISITING NURSES ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS:  Support to evaluate clients of the Meals on Wheels program with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias for need of a higher level of care.

WILSHIRE BAPTIST CHURCH:  Support for the Friday Friends Program addressing the need to provide respite for those who care for a dementia relative at home, and who have little or no assistance for relieving them of the constant care and supervision of their loved one, while providing  a stimulating day of art, music and games for the individual with Alzheimer’s.

Myrna D. Schlegel AWARE Scholarship Fund:  Support for scholarships for nursing students at Baylor University, Texas Woman’s University, and Texas Christian University toward their studies in gerontology, especially in the field of dementia.

         To learn more about AWARE, membership benefits, special events, educational programs and more, visit the website at www.AWAREDallas.org

         Together with compassion and dedication, we are making a difference. Membership is open to men and women. Join AWARE now and join the fight.