The Jewish Family Service Agency of Las Vegas (JFSA) is raising awareness about the needs of Holocaust survivors in Southern Nevada and its Holocaust Survivor Program during the annual Tzedakah Brunch on Sunday, March 6, at 11 a.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 10700 Havenwood Lane. Now in its ninth year, the event honors individuals in the community who have made a difference in helping those in need.
The local Holocaust survivor community will be honored, and three community leaders who have spent many years supporting survivors living in Las Vegas will be recognized. They are: Doug Unger, president of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust Education; Raymonde Fiol, president of the Holocaust Survivors Group of Southern Nevada; and Esther Finder, president of the Generations of the Shoah of Southern Nevada.
“We are so fortunate to have Doug, Raymonde and Esther who continue to work so tirelessly on behalf of the Holocaust survivors in our community,” said Ken Moskowitz, JFSA executive director. “Their efforts make a real difference in improving survivors’ lives and making sure they are never forgotten.”
JFSA is the only agency in the Las Vegas area providing services and support to the Holocaust survivor community through its Holocaust Survivor Program. With grants provided by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, the nonprofit organization conducts comprehensive case management and provides the survivors with essential services such as homecare, home cleaning, food voucher assistance, socialization, transportation, and emergency assistance, as well as advocacy and counseling services.
An estimated 400 Holocaust survivors live in Las Vegas, with JFSA assisting more than 150. Many of these survivors will be attending the brunch.
“It’s important to remember that as our survivors age, their needs increase,” said Moskowitz. “While JFSA assistance for them is comprehensive, unfortunately resources are limited. As a community, we must join together to raise the funds that are needed to ensure that no survivor’s needs go unmet so we invite everyone to join us on March 6 or visit jfsalv.org to learn more about ways to help.”
Tzedakah Brunch tickets include complimentary Mimosas and Bloody Marys, generously provided by Southern Wine and Spirits, and catering by Madeline Morris. Dietary laws are being observed. Entertainment will be provided by the Las Vegas Academy Jazz Ensemble, and the anthems led by Cantor Jessica Hutchings.
The event is being co-chaired by Ercy Rosen and Lisa Bassewitz.
Tickets are $150 per person, and prize opportunity drawing tickets are $25, $50 and $100. Prizes include: $25 per ticket – one chance to win dinner for two at Andiron, Marche Bacchus, La Cave or Vintner Grill; $50 per ticket – one chance to win either a catered dinner for eight from Madeline Morris Catering or a private cooking class and lunch for six with Chef Eric at Spago Las Vegas; $100 per ticket – one chance to win a Los Angeles getaway that includes airfare for two, lunch and a private tour of a major Hollywood animation studio, the studio’s film library on DVD, one-night stay at the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel, and dinner for two at Spago.
For Tzedakah Brunch tickets or an ad in the tribute journal or online, visit https://www.jfsalv.org/events/ or contact Renea Parr at (702) 732-0304 or Rparr@jfsalv.org.
About Jewish Family Service Agency
Inspired by the Jewish principle of “Tikkun Olam,” repairing the world one life at a time, Jewish Family Service Agency supports people of all backgrounds, providing professional social services to families and individuals in times of need. While the focus is on the Jewish community, the nonprofit organization serves all individuals without regard to religion, race, age, disability, sexual orientation or national origin, and provides a variety of services for the community’s changing and emerging challenges. JFSA’s primary goal is to meet clients’ needs directly but will refer to other agencies within its network of relationships if additional services are necessary. JFSA provides professional services in a confidential setting. Many services are offered free of charge or on a sliding scale; third party insurance is also accepted for counseling services. For information, visit https://www.jfsalv.org/ or call (702) 732-0304.
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