Join us for an evening of community to kick off the 2024 Annual Tzedakah Campaign with delicious food, sparkling champagne, good company, and an inspiring conversation about Jewish leadership in times of emergency.

Your support allows us to provide essential aid to those in need, spring into action in times of crisis, combat antisemitism and protect our communities, nurture vibrant Jewish life, and build a brighter future where everyone thrives. As One, we make a difference.

A light dinner by Adamah, including schnitzel, dessert, and more, will follow the program. 

In-Person Keynote Speaker: Andrew Hochberg on "Jewish Leadership in Times of Emergency"
Andrew Hochberg is a dedicated leader in the local Chicago and national Jewish community. He is currently the Vice Chair of ELNET-US and recently served as Chair of the Domestic Policy and Government Affairs Committee for the Jewish Federations of North America and Chairman of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. See Andy's full bio below.

Childcare Registration is Now Closed: We will offer on-site kids' programming and childcare while parents attend the kickoff to those who have requested it with their registration before 5:00 pm on September 11.

Register to Attend the Kickoff >

This event is free and open to the community. Attending the kickoff event implies a commitment to contribute to the Jewish Federation of Madison's 2024 Annual Tzedakah Campaign.

About Keynote Speaker, Andrew S. Hochberg
Andrew Hochberg, a key leader in the Chicago Jewish community, is currently the Vice Chair of ELNET-US. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Chair of the Domestic Policy and Government Affairs Committee for the Jewish Federations of North America. Recently, he also served as Chairman of the Jewish United Fund / Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, one of the largest non-profit agencies in the state. In 2008, Andy was the JUF General Campaign Chairman, and during his term, he successfully led a record-breaking annual campaign of $83.6 million. He also served a term as chair of JUF’s Government Affairs Committee and is past chair of the JFMC (facilities corporation) steering committee. In addition, Andy created and led fundraising for the Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund, a breakthrough approach that raised $30 million of vital funds for Chicago-area day schools.

Andy has also served as the Development Chair for the Boston University Hillel Center and on the Executive Committee of Hillel International.

In 2013, Andy completed his presidential appointment to the United States Holocaust Memorial Committee, which determines strategy and implements programs for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Andy chaired the annual Risa K. Lambert Luncheon in Chicago in 2012 for the museum; at the time, it was the most successful fundraiser in the Museum’s history.

Active in the political arena as well, Andy has hosted numerous fundraisers and events for local and national politicians. He is on the AIPAC Illinois Council and is co-founder of CityPAC, a Chicago-based pro-Israel political action committee for professionals in the 25-40 age group that has contributed thousands of dollars to congressional candidates and elected officials since 1984. During his tenure, Andy received the CityPAC Henry Jackson Pro-Israel Advocacy Award.

Andy formed commercial real estate investment firm Next Realty, L.L.C. in 1998. Next Realty, LLC is a privately held, commercial real estate investment firm that has been a leader in the retail and parking property sectors since 1998. Next Realty’s focus is to acquire, reposition, and improve operations of undervalued properties. Since its inception, Next Realty has made over 75 investments across multiple asset types and locations, representing approximately $625 million in gross asset value, totaling over 2,000,000 square feet of retail space and over 3,500 parking spaces nationwide.

Prior to founding Next Realty, Andy held several positions at Sportmart, a family-owned big-box retail sporting goods chain. He began his career as Real Estate Director in 1987 and eventually became CEO. He successfully established real estate strategic direction, arranged financing, recruited, and trained management on all levels, and managed the company’s IPO. Andy negotiated Sportmart’s merger with Gart Sports in 1998, creating the second-largest sporting goods retailer in the United States.

Andy is also co-founder of Hilco Real Estate Services, a leading provider of appraisal, disposition, and lease restructuring services to asset-based and traditional mortgage lenders, turn-around managers, attorneys and accountants, and institutional and venture capital investors. He has served as a director of Prism Mortgage Company, LR Development, Gart Sports, and Art.com.

Andy earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law.