‘Quiet’ agency honors pair of vocal supporters
James Aaron supports the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Monmouth County for the simplest of reasons.
“It happens to be, in my opinion, a wonderful organization that goes under the radar when it comes to work done very quietly and very efficiently for the Jewish community,” explained the West Long Branch resident.
“Unlike the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association, which people get involved with because they or a member of their family have a condition and are looking to help others who have that condition, many of us never have to use the services of this agency that helps so many.”
It is because of that commitment to JFCS that he and his wife, Madlyn, will be honored by the agency at its annual dinner Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Congregation Magen David in Ocean Township.
The agency provides mental health and social services to Monmouth County residents on a nonsectarian basis. It offers more than 30 programs and serves more than 4,800 clients annually through its three offices in Asbury Park, Morganville, and Eatontown.
The event will include a goods and services auction as well a chance to win a trip to Aruba.
“The whole idea is to have a good time while raising money,” said auction cochair and executive board member Helaine Perlman. “And the community should know we know where every dime we raise goes.”
Madlyn was a teacher in Long Branch for more than 33 years. A bankruptcy and civil litigation attorney for 34 years, James was appointed to the state’s Racing Commission in 2006. He is a founder and board member of Central Jersey Bank.
James is lifelong member of Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon — where his family are sixth-generation members. He serves on its board; he and Madlyn served as cochairs of a capital campaign that raised over $2.6 million for the synagogue.
They cosponsor the Heimlich-Aaron Scholarship Fund at the temple, providing an annual college scholarship to a deserving graduate of its Hebrew high school, and are cosponsors and founders of the Leslie B. Aaron Scholarship Fund, which gives an annual scholarship to a Long Branch High School senior.
They support civic activities at the Long Branch Chamber of Commerce and are supporters of Monmouth University and Monmouth Medical Center. The two have been married 42 years and have a son and daughter and two grandchildren.
Being singled out by JFCS was “humbling and embarrassing because as a trial attorney I normally don’t receive any attention except negative,” he quipped.
But he and his wife are clearly flattered.
“I would urge as many people as possible to support this organization, and hopefully as a result, we will be able to sustain this organization through an economic climate that’s not good for fund-raising,” he said.
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