Women’s Spring Luncheon

Description

Connect and Cook with Jessica Fechtor, author of the national bestseller, Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals that Brought Me Home.

Jessica was just 28-years-old and pursuing a Ph.D. at Harvard when she had a brain aneurysm, and nearly died. Suddenly, she was forced to the sidelines of a life she loved. But Jessica did not give up. As soon as she was able to stand, she began her journey of recovery in her kitchen at her stovetop. She drew strength from the restorative power of cooking and baking, and this resulted in 27 narratives about recipes that brought her back to life.

Honor Mary Ellen Saltzman, the recipient of the Irene Zehman Volunteer Award.

Mary Ellen runs Treasures, a gift shop at the Mandel JCC and Siegal College that sells Judaica, jewelry and crafts by Israeli artists. Many years ago when Mary Ellen made her first trip to Israel, she returned with a dream: to support Israeli artists by bringing their hard work to Cleveland. She started Treasures in 1992 and since then it has grown significantly. Entirely run by volunteers, Treasures has become a go-to place for our Jewish community, educating Clevelanders about Israel’s artisans and Jewish life in Israel. Under Mary Ellen’s leadership, donated profits from Treasures have totaled over $250,000.

Mary Ellen has been an active volunteer throughout her life. She has served on the board for the Beachwood Friends of the Library and the Women’s Division of The Cleveland Orchestra. She is also on the host committee for Celebrate our Partnership, the 20th anniversary celebrations of Cleveland’s partnership with Beit Shean, our sister city in Israel.

The Irene Zehman Volunteer Award recognizes a woman, group of women, or a women’s organization whose efforts on behalf of the Cleveland Jewish community demonstrate the highest ideals and practices of volunteer service. The award was established in 1980 by Roslyn Z. Wolf and Judith Z. Sherman, both of blessed memory, in loving memory of their mother, Irene Zehman, who personified the attributes this award celebrates.

Plus, help feed the hungry by donating non-perishable foods and essential toiletries to benefit our community food pantries. Donations will be collected at the event. Here is a list of the most needed food items (kosher and non-kosher) and non-food items: Beef stew, Canned soup, Canned vegetables, Canned tuna, Peanut butter, Cereal Deodorant, Laundry detergent, Shampoo, Toilet paper, Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpastes.

Lunch & Program: $45 (not tax-deductible; kosher dietary laws observed)

Kindly RSVP by May 11

We hope you'll join us at one of our most popular events of the year!

Please call Lisa Hacker at 216-593-2792 for information on student pricing ($25 / person)

Pre-Registration is now closed.

Books will be available for sale for $28 and Jessica will be available to sign.


Women’s Spring Luncheon Chairs: Stacy Anthony, Fran Lasky Deborah Rabinowitz, and Katie Speigler
Host Committee: Amy Aschkenasy, Rebecca Bar-Shain, Susan Bass, Jamie Belkin, Faith Blau, Leah Caruso, Yael Cik, Leslie Cohen, Amy Einhorn, Kelli Gellis, Shelley Gimbel, Elana Glasner, Tristin Goldberg, Allyson Goldstein, Robin Green, Nancy Greff, Kerry Kertesz, Hannah Klarfeld, Chany Klein, Betsy Krantz, Sharon Lebovitz, Laura Leventhal, Karen Marocco, Kim Pesses, Lori Raichilson, Mikki Rocker, Sharon Rosenbaum, Susan Rubin, Barb Sacks, Kyla Epstein Schneider, Marcy Schwartz, Adrienne Siegel, Rachel Stark, Yeva Stein, Carmie Stein, Randi Sussman, Beth Timen, Peggy Gries Wager, Gail Weintraub, Joanna Wyner, Ellen Zelman, Shannon Zelman
Women’s Outreach and Engagement Chairs: Amy Wain Garnitz and Becky Heller
Women's Philanthropy Chair: Jennifer Korach
Board Chair: Reneé Chelm
President: Stephen H. Hoffman