Main Event honorees from shuls, beyond

The Main Event was once a quiet luncheon honoring one community volunteer. Over the years it has become the premier gathering of women supporters of the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County — this year more so than ever, according to cochairs Louisa Liechtung and Mindy Wiser-Estin, both of Ocean Township.

On Wednesday, May 7, the federation’s Women’s Philanthropy will honor not one, but seven Volunteers of the Year — and 19 Volunteers of Distinction — at the evening gala at Congregation Magen David of West Deal. The honorees were chosen from among individuals nominated by synagogues, social service agencies, cultural institutions, and other philanthropies throughout Monmouth County. More than 400 people, primarily women, from every facet of the Jewish community are expected to attend.

“This year we will honor 26 women whose volunteerism makes Jewish life thrive,” said Liechtung. “Without them, neither their organizations nor the Jewish community as a whole would be the same.”

“The Main Event will give each one the recognition she deserves before a large group of friends, family, and neighbors,” Wiser-Estin added. “There’s going to be a lot of love in the room.”

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In addition to recognizing synagogues’ nominees, as in the past, Main Event 2014 will highlight, for the first time, honorees from other types of Jewish organizations as well. The Volunteers of the Year are Sue Beller for Red Bank Hadassah; Helen Cohen for the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County; Doris Dwek for Deal Sephardic Network; Susan Belfer for Hand in Hand; Randi Goldberg for The Friendship Circle; Ellen Grossman for Jewish Family & Children’s Service; and Nancy Rubenstein for the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights, & Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College.

The Volunteers of Distinction — representing different organizations and synagogues — are Marnee Bloomfield, Eveline Brownstein, Joan Fischer, Roz Fisher, Barbara Fleischer, Ruth Goldfarb, Laurie Gross, Andrea Kazin, Rhonda Levy, Danielle Mason, Marilyn Michaels, Beverlee Richelson, Nancy Roberts, Fran Semaya, Lila Singer, Dolores Thaw, Jodi Woolley, Barbara Zagha, and Clara Gee Stamaty Ziment.

The event will include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner, and a keynote address. No minimum gift is required, but, said the cochairs, a meaningful gift is encouraged.