Women's Division

ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM JEWISH FEDERATION’S
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY “IMAGINE” LUNCHEON EFFORTS

Another VERY successful Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Women’s Philanthropy “Imagine” luncheon was held on October 16, 2008 at the Fox Hollow Golf Club. The program, which benefited ELI, Israel Association for Child Protection, honored Adele Blumberg, Goldie Taub and Margit Feldman.

Elaine Dunst, Co-Chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Division of the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren welcomed the more than one hundred participants and thanked them for their continuing support. She explained the mission of the group and the power of women’s philanthropy in our Jewish community and around the world.

Harriet Blank, founding Co-Chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Division led the Ha Motzi (Blessing of the Bread) and Harriet was singled out and thanked by Diane Naar, Jewish Federation Executive Director for the work she has done with our group and for  being the one to suggest that the word “Imagine” be used in coordination with this effort to understand that what can be imagined can be accomplished.

Diane introduced key members of the audience, thanked the Federation Board, the Members of the Women’s Philanthropy Committee and the vendors and basket donors for their assistance. Pam Nemeth, who mobilized the extensive basket auction effort received a special acknowledgment for her outstanding efforts.

Dr. Hanita Zimrin, founder and Chairperson of ELI, was then welcomed and introduced. She  provided an exciting update concerning the donation made last year by Women’s Philanthropy to upgrade the aging and inadequate shelter for abused children. It is because of our community, she stated, that the children are now in a safe, appropriate, cheerful space. More than 100 children are treated in the shelter each year after a decision is made that they must be taken out of their homes for their own safety.

Dr. Zimrin showed and explained the meaning of a number of very heartbreaking and disturbing drawings made by the children in their care. The drawings indicated extreme fear, anxiety, sadness, depression, and feelings of being imprisoned and out of control. She spent the second half of her remarks explaining how our community’s assistance in creating a transitional safe house would impact the work that they do. Many children can still not go home following  the period of acute treatment and stabilization in the emergency shelter, either because the parents are not fit, or the children need longer term therapy and assistance. A transitional safe house would meet this need.
 
The Honorees of the day were then welcomed. Sherry Steger introduced Adele Blumberg, Betty Roswell introduced Margit Feldman and Lillian Swickle introduced Goldie Taub.

Margit Feldman gave a poignant talk, drawing parallels between being a survivor of the Holocaust, and the survivor of parental imposed child abuse.  Adele Blumberg thanked the group for the honor and spoke about some of the experiences that she has had in helping to build community. Her work as Past President of the Jewish Federation helped her to understand the impact that the Federation has on our own community, and those living in need in  Israel and in other countries, and she emphasized that we all need to continue to keep our culture and people strong.

The attendees were treated to a wonderful meal provided by Fox Hollow Golf Club and helped to raise funds by patronizing the vendor area, and purchasing raffles for an extensive basket auction.

 Elaine Dunst asked those in attendance to please consider making a gift to ELI, to help us be able to meet the goal of financing part of the Safe House Transitional program and thanked everyone for coming and making “Imagine” another true success.

Boutique Vendors

Special thanks to our vendors for helping us make
our event so successful and for generously donating a
portion of their proceeds to the Federation ELI effort.

Many thanks to Picture Perfect Photography for their willingness to provide
a Family Portrait Session and 16” by 20” Wall Portrait for our
Women’s Philanthropy Division’s “Imagine” Luncheon raffle.
We appreciate your support!

Picture Perfect
DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHY
“We Capture the Feeling”
Portraits - Weddings - Bar Mitzvahs - Commercial
23 Old Hwy 22
Clinton, NJ
(908) 730-0900

The winner of the Picture Perfect raffle was Ms. Goldie Taub!

The Jewish Federation thanks everyone who donated to our” Imagine” Basket Auction:
Special Thanks to Pam Nemeth & the Women’s Philanthropy Committee for their assistance

The Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties
Warmly thanks Women’s  Philanthropy “Imagine” 2008  Corporate Sponsors:

The MedTech Group, Inc.
and
PNC Bank Wealth Management

Community Builder Sponsor:

Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst and Doukas, LLP

Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy
“Imagine” event