Michael Alexander
41st Annual Mitzvah Award Recipient

Michael and his wife, Adrienne, have lived in Stamford for over three decades. Michael has successfully led a thirty-five-year career in financial services, attending business school at night to complete an MBA. After working on his own for a short while, he joined a local firm that has become Kolbrenner & Alexander, LLC. Along the way, he continued learning and earned his certification as a Certified Public Accountant and fulfilled a lifelong dream to attend law school. He recently changed the name of his wealth management and financial planning practice to Holbrook Wealth Advisors.

Michael has served on the board of Congregation Agudath Sholom for over a decade, first as a board member and later as Treasurer. He is currently on the board of Hillel at the University of Maryland. Michael’s connection to Schoke Jewish Family Service began in 2009 when he joined the board as Treasurer. Michael served as President from 2012 – 2015 and Immediate Past-President from 2015 – 2017. He continues to be a vocal supporter of our agency’s mission and sponsors Schoke JFS’ annual shredding event, which benefits our agency’s case management and food pantry clients.

Michael is a healthy living, food, and wine aficionado. He and his wife Adrienne are the proud parents of Caroline, Elizabeth, and Daniel. Elizabeth is married to son-in-law, Eli Reichner. Caroline and her husband, Brad Alhadef, are the proud parents of grandson Aiden.

David Brand
14th Annual Young Leadership Award Recipient

David, along with his wife Jessie, and children, Max, Sophie, and Bailey, has proudly lived in Stamford since 2012.  Since his arrival, David has immersed himself in Stamford’s vibrant Jewish life, volunteering with Schoke JFS, serving on the Board of Directors and Building Committee of Congregation Agudath Sholom, and volunteering with other local organizations.

David began his volunteer efforts with Schoke JFS in 2013, at first chairing Congregation Agudath Sholom’s annual High Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Schoke JFS Food Pantry and also working with the Camp Scholarship Committee that annually distributes over $40,000 in funds so children in Fairfield County can attend the Jewish day camp or sleepaway camp of their dreams.

Originally from Great Neck, NY, David attended North Shore Hebrew Academy, then graduated from Great Neck South High School before attending the University of Michigan for college.  David received his J.D. degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where he met his wife, Jessie.  David practiced commercial litigation in New York City for ten years before joining his family’s real estate business where he is general counsel and also manages the family’s residential real estate portfolio.

David feels passionate about Schoke JFS’s mission and the important work it does for the community. He is honored to receive this award, grateful that he can share the evening with family and friends, and wishes a mazel tov to the other honorees on their well-deserved honors!

Risa Goldblum
2nd Annual Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient

Risa was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Stamford, where she attended Bi-Cultural Day School and Stamford High. She and her husband Jeff were high school sweethearts, and they both returned to the area after college. The Goldblums have been living in Pound Ridge, NY for the past 21 years. They have three children: Jordan, 25, Elyse, 22 and Aaron, 20. Risa works as a part-time freelance writer. The family belongs to Congregation Agudath Sholom.

Risa’s volunteer work with Schoke JFS began in 2013, when she answered an email asking for drivers to deliver Pesach meal bags. She steadily took on more responsibility and has since served as a co-chair of the Passover food drive and distribution program for several years. Risa also organizes the Rosh Hashana food drive and delivery program, co-chaired the Coat Drive for two years, leads the agency’s annual Thanksgiving meal delivery program, and assists with the agency’s Anachnu program for Holocaust survivors.  She is also a regular volunteer in the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry, and often brings Jeff and the kids along to help.

In other endeavors, Risa is currently a member of the Stamford JCC Board of Directors, and is a dedicated JCC volunteer and lay leader.  She served as secretary of the Center Women board, and co-chaired the Gift Show. She is a frequent senior lunch volunteer and a gala committee member, in addition to co-chairing the gala auction. Risa worked on the Opening Ceremonies for the 2006 JCC Maccabi Games, and in 2016 co-chaired the Special Events for the JCC Maccabi Games & Artsfest. She and Jeff opened their home to host Maccabi athletes in 2006 and 2016.  Risa also served as a co-chair for the JCC Tzahal Shalom Program for four years.

Schoke Jewish Family Service is privileged to honor Risa Goldblum for her commitment to our Jewish community and the greater Stamford community.