Honoring
43RD ANNUAL MITZVAH AWARD RECIPIENTS
Mimi Cohen
Rhoda and Avram Freedberg
Mimi Cohen worked in Jewish education for 35 years. Upon her retirement, she volunteered in inner- city schools and mentored graduate students in education. Though always aware of her family’s blessings, the pandemic made her look at the world around her differently. “Food was always plentiful at our house. I never thought that others might not have been as fortunate.”
Mimi is one of the founding sponsors of the Schoke JFS Kosher Mobile Food Pantry – an innovative initiative that addresses food insecurity in Fairfield County.
Rhoda and Avram Freedberg have lived in Stamford for over 45 years. Over their decades of living in Stamford, Rhoda and Avram have served as leaders, volunteers and board members for many organizations including Schoke Jewish Family Service, Congregation Agudath Sholom, Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy, the JCC, the Stamford Chevra Kadisha, ARI of Connecticut and Stamford State of Israel Bonds.
In 2019, Rhoda and Avram became lead sponsors for the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry at the Schoke JFS Office in Stamford.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
United Jewish Federation of Stamford • New Canaan • Darien
Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County
United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien has been building and safeguarding our Jewish community since 1972. Since 2017, Diane Sloyer, CEO, has led a mission-driven team to strengthen connections to Israel and global Jewry by convening and mobilizing our community to invest in Jewish life for today and future generations. We respect and celebrate our diversity by coming together to sustain an inclusive, flourishing, and vibrant Jewish community.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County brings diverse Jewish voices together around a common purpose, funding dozens of agencies that work to respond to ongoing challenges and emerging issues. They have reimagined Jewish life in innovative ways, both online and on the ground, offering meaningful programs, including serving as a lead sponsor of the Kosher Mobile Food Pantry. The Federation partners with a caring, compassionate community that unites to celebrate Jewish life together.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
Mitzvah Match Families
Our Mitzvah Match Program pairs volunteer families with Schoke JFS clients – homebound seniors, Holocaust survivors, and families in need – to provide grocery deliveries from our kosher food pantry. These committed volunteer families visit the pantry and “shop” on behalf of their matches and deliver groceries each month. We are grateful to our Mitzvah Match families for bringing food, warmth, companionship and connection, all of which is essential to nourishing our community.
Jessica and Jonathan Bradley
Samantha • Grant
The Bradley Family returned to Jessica's hometown of Stamford after living in Jonathan's native England for a number of years. They have two children, Sammi and Grant, and are proud of their involvement with the Mitzvah Match program and find these experiences most rewarding because of the real connection they build with SJFS clients.
Robin and Jason Fischel
Shane • Hadassah
The Fischel Family now live in their native Stamford with their two children, Shane and Hadassah. Robin, a former board member, and Jason have been involved with Schoke JFS since 2011. The Fischels proudly participate in the beautiful Mitzvah Match program and are humbled to be honored for this meaningful award.
Alexandra and Jonathan GradmanYuval • Eli • Lev • Ezra
The Gradman Family moved to Stamford in the summer of 2021 with their four children, Yuval, Eli, Lev and Ezra. They are grateful to Schoke JFS for providing dignified support to their fellow community members in need and for giving their family an opportunity to get involved in meaningful ways.
Jessie and Ilan Katz
Eliana • Bara • Kaia • Ziv
The Katz Family moved to Stamford in the summer of 2017. They have four children Elian, Bara, Kaia and Ziv. The Katz family is always thinking of creative ways to integrate the important work of Schoke JFS into their lives, including participating in the Mitzvah Match program and donating organic produce from the Stoneledge Farm CSA to Schoke JFS throughout the growing season.
Miriam and Josh SperberDavid • Elle • Aria
The Sperber Family moved to Stamford in the fall of 2012. Josh and Miriam jumped at the opportunity to join the Schoke JFS Mitzvah Match Program and impart those values to their children, David, Elle and Aria. They hope their children will learn from this experience and continue in a life of kindness, understanding the importance of chesed and service for those in need.
Audrey and Joseph Speter
Ari • Amira • Moriah
The Speter Family has lived in Stamford for eight years. They have three children, Ari, Amira and Moriah. The Speter family is honored to have the opportunity to give back to the community through the Mitzvah Match program and to be able to make both a meaningful and long-term impact on the lives of Schoke JFS's clients.
Laura and Seth Tobin
Elissa • Hannah • Julia • Jacob
The Tobin Family moved to Stamford in May of 2010. Seth, Laura, and their four children, Elissa, Hannah, Julia and Jacob, are immensely grateful for their involvement in the Mitzvah Match program and appreciate all that Schoke JFS does to tend to the needs of Stamford families and to provide them with meaningful emotional and physical support.
Shushannah and Ari YasgurBess • Naomi • Gabriel
The Yasgur Family moved to Stamford in the summer of 2014. Shushannah, Ari, and their three children, Bess, Naomi, and Gabriel, are grateful to Schoke JFS for providing their family an opportunity to get involved and help people in the community in need with the Mitzvah Match program.
Navah and David ZizmorNoa • Gabriel
The Zizmor Family moved to Stamford in the summer of 2014. David works in accounting in private equity and Navah is an orthopedic physical therapist. They have two children, Noa and Gabriel. The family has supported Schoke JFS for many years and most recently enjoyed delivering meals through the Mitzvah Match program.
Corporate Recognition
We’d like to thank the following corporate sponsors of An Evening with Schoke JFS 2023 for their continued support.
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