2019 Tzedakah Campaign Kickoff
2019 TZEDAKAH CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to celebrate our community’s commitment to nurturing Jewish life, at every age and stage, both locally and globally, at the Annual Tzedakah Campaign Kickoff on Sunday, September 22 at Full Compass. Kicking off our fundraising efforts together as a community is an annual tradition we look forward to each fall. This year, the theme of Rosh Hashanah provided touches of sweetness throughout the evening. Guests were greeted with applejack martinis and pomegranate cosmos as they entered the event room festive in fall colors and table decor.
The program began with a welcome message from Jewish Federation of Madison President, Deborah Minkoff, followed by a D’var Torah and sounding of the shofar by Rabbi Avremel Matusof, and Rabbi Betsy Forester leading the HaMotzi over round challahs.
Inspiring speakers shared personal stories. Wendy C. Abrams, immediate past chair of National Women’s Philanthropy (NWP) of The Jewish Federations of North America, talked about her first-hand experiences witnessing the impact Federation has on the national and global level and the importance of taking care of each other. Ian Staresinic, a program alum of Gan HaYeled Preschool, Camp Shalom, and Midrasha Hebrew High School, spoke on how these local Jewish Federation of Madison programs have shaped who he is today. Our campaign cochairs Joel Minkoff and Joe Shumow presented on the campaign needs this year and what moves them personally about the work we do.
Lively musical entertainment was provided by Klezmer group Yid Vicious while guests dined on salad sprinkled with pomegranate seeds, tzimmes inspired Moroccan vegan gluten-free stew, and honey cakes decadently topped with chopped dried fruit and nuts.
As is the tradition, the evening concluded with attendees filling out and turning in their pledge cards with this year’s commitment to the Annual Tzedakah Campaign - raising $150,000 (20% ahead of last year)!
THANK YOU & TODAH RABAH!
We’d like to thank the following businesses and individuals who made this community event possible through their generosity, dedication, and hard work.
HOSTS
Susan and Jonathan Lipp
Full Compass Staff
SPEAKERS
Wendy C. Abrams
Ian Staresinic
CAMPAIGN CHAIRS
Joel Minkoff and Joe Shumow
BEVERAGES
General Beverage
ONGOING SUPPORT
Rabbi Avremel Matusof
Rabbi Mendel and Henya Matusof
Deborah Minkoff
Tzedakah Campaign Kickoff Volunteers
Jewish Federation of Madison Staff