ELIZABETH SMART TO HEADLINE THE FERD & GLADYS ALPERT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE 17th ANNUAL “NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE” EVENT, A VIRTUAL EVENING
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – January 18, 2021 – The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) “No Excuse for Abuse” event, an eagerly anticipated annual signature program of the agency, will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Abduction survivor, advocate and author Elizabeth Smart will be the keynote speaker. In light of the pandemic, this year’s 17th consecutive program, chaired by Ilene Goldstein, Diann Mann and Judith Rosenberg, and emceed by Barbara and Peter Sidel, will be an online experience.
The virtual event is open to the community-at-large, free of charge. Alpert JFS is encouraging friends and neighbors to help meet a fundraising goal of $360,000 in connection with this year’s virtual events, which will provide much-needed assistance for the most vulnerable residents from Boynton Beach to Vero Beach. To learn more about the $360K Campaign, visit www.alpertjfs.org/360campaign/.
Zelda Mason is the Title Sponsor of the event. Platinum Sponsors are Diann and Thomas Mann, and Minto Foundation, Inc. Silver Sponsors include ComForCare Home Care, Jane and Arnold Lampert, and Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith PLLC. Bronze Sponsors are Amicable Home Health Care, The Honorable Ann W. Brown, Sheila Engelstein, Steve and Marsha Funk, Linda and Raymond L. Golden, Mitchell I. Kitroser, PA, Marsh & McLennan Agency Mutual of America Financial Group, Susan Shulman Pertnoy and Ron Pertnoy, and Plastridge Insurance. Virtual Hosts include Linda Cortell Benjamin; Socki and Bruce Berg; Judy Bergman and Dr. Richard Budson, Traci Pincourt Braun and Keith B. Braun, Jan and Dr. Robert Burke, Alan I. Goldberg, Ilene Goldstein and Greg Thorpe, Hope and Gary Hoffman, Vivienne Felberman Ivryz”l, Judith and Martin Knopf, Marjie and Dr. Sheldon Konigsberg, Jane and Arnold Lampert, Karen Levy-Lutner and Dr. Lawrence Lutner, Vivian F. Lieberman, Robyn and Dale Rands, Carolyn Gleimer Silbey and Franklin Silbey, Hope and Gene Silverman, and Carolyn and Michael Yasuna. Program Ambassadors are Donna M. Baumzweig and David M. Ginsberg, Dara and Dr. Alan Berger, Karen and Ilan Berkner, Carole and Jerome Blumberg, Leslie and Ralph Brotter, Chaykin Law Group, Wendi and Barry Cohn, Sheryl and Dr. Tommy Davidoff, Sharon and Neil Efron, Joyce and Charles Ezrine, Mindi and Adam Fetterman, Ellen and Ken Forrest, Emily and Dr. Gerald Gardner, Irene and Elliot Glanz, Renee and Dr. Robert C. Gordon, Connie and Robert Greene, Ronald Guritzky, Dr. Amy and Dr. David Harris, Ellie Hart, Jimmy Katz, Iris and Tevie Kozak, Joyce Lampert, LCSW/All About You Counseling, Patti and Tony Lampert, Heather and Jason Lazarus, Ellen G. and Benz”l Levy, Liggio Law, Karen and Marty List, Marilyn and Jacob Mitzner, Tracy Nemerofsky, Joanne Warshaver Pinciss, Lois and Phillip Proger, Elaine Ravich, Lisa Rawe, Pam and Jeff Rembaum, Felice Cantor Rosen and Neal Rosen, Sandra and Marvin Rosen, Susan Rothman, Stephanie Rozansky, REALTOR®, New Wave Realty, Carol Shubs, Judy Shuster, Toni Sigalow, Denise Silverman, Julie Simons, Estelle and Samuel Sylvetsky, Renee and Dan Tucker, Kelley Whiter and Jonathan Beasley, and Barbara and Michael Wildstein.
At the event, Carol Shubs and Karen Berkner, co-chairs of The KOLOT (Hebrew for “voices”) Committee will announce the winners of the “No Excuse for Abuse Poster & Poetry Contest.” Jewish student artists and poets in elementary, middle school, and high school were eligible to enter single submissions in any medium on the topics of bullying; teen dating abuse; healthy relationships; and emotional, verbal, or physical abuse. Additionally, attendees will hear from teen leaders of the teen dating abuse and bullying prevention program, “Relationships and Decisions Program,” who work to engage and educate their peers in the community.
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. During her nine months in captivity, she was controlled by her captors with threats against her and her family’s lives if she tried to escape. Her powerful testimony, presented before her captors and the world, shared detail of the very private nightmare she endured, leading to their conviction. Since her traumatic experience, Smart has become an advocate for change, published author of the New York Times best-selling book, “My Story,” and promoted The National AMBER Alert, and The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act, and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.
Register online at www.alpertjfs.org/events/2021nefa. For more information about the virtual evening, phone Maxine Sonnenschein at 561-252-8825 or email nefa@alpertjfs.org.
KOLOT (Hebrew for “voices”) is a coalition of representatives from Jewish and other community organizations, professionals, and volunteers. The group is on a mission to end abuse and encourage help seeking, through awareness and education, including accessible informational materials for victims, community education, and events.
The Alpert JFS Domestic Abuse Program exists to help victims identify abuse, create a personalized safety plan, and provide direction to local and out-of-state domestic abuse resources. The agency’s mental health professionals conduct workshops for synagogues, organizations and teen groups to teach warning signs and end the cycle of abuse. To learn more about the domestic abuse support services of Alpert JFS, visit alpertjfs.org/for-adults/domestic-abuse-support/. The agency has virtual support groups for “Women in High Conflict Relationships, held via Zoom on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Participants in the group learn about abuse, power/control, how to identify red flags and unhealthy relationships, as well as the characteristics of an abuser, as well as how to set boundaries, increase self-esteem and practice self-care. A 10-week commitment is required of participants. Phone 561-684-1991 for more information.
Established in 1974, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service is a nationally accredited service provider for children, adults, and seniors, including Holocaust survivors. The non-profit, non-sectarian organization is a trusted leader, with a team of nearly 200 highly skilled professionals delivering high-quality care to community members. Alpert JFS works to ensure the well-being of children and families, independence of older adults and quality-of-life for individuals with disabilities.