More than 200 women will show their support for the 2007 annual campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County when they gather on Wednesday, May 16, for the ninth annual Main Event.

The event, which is sponsored by the federation's Women's Philanthropy, will take place at Shadowbrook in Shrewsbury.

Lynn Sherr, correspondent for the ABC newsmagazine 20/20 and the author of several books, including a memoir, Outside the Box, will be the evening's guest speaker. Bobbi Krantz of Manasquan, a long-time federation supporter, will receive the Woman of Distinction award.

Last year's Main Event raised more than $265,000 for the federation's annual campaign.

The campaign supports a variety of causes, including the provision of social services and the delivery of kosher meals to Monmouth County residents, resettlement of immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union, and assistance to Israeli victims of terror.

Organizers of this year's Main Event have increased their outreach activity in an effort to encourage younger women to become more active in federation activities, according to event cochairs Rachel Feldman of Little Silver and Debi Fradkin of Manalapan.

"Supporting the federation is such a worthwhile cause, and it's extremely important that young women become involved and stay involved," said Fradkin, 35, a coordinator of the federation's Mom's Morning Series and cochair of the Women's New Heights Education Series. "I hope that my own involvement will be an incentive."

And Feldman, a licensed clinical social worker who was the Women's Division director at the UJA Federation of Bergen County and North Hudson for five years, has continued her federation involvement since moving to Monmouth County eight years ago.

"I'm the child of Holocaust survivors," Feldman said. "My parents taught me about the important work of organizations like the federation. It was this kind of help that gave them the chance to begin a new life in a new country. It meant everything to them; it means everything to me."

The event cochairs have been impressed and gratified by the initial response to the 2007 Main Event.

"I've met a lot of women who care about the causes that are supported by the federation, and they are happy to have the opportunity to show their support," said Fradkin, who is a volunteer with the Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Monmouth County's kosher meals-on-wheels program.

She often brings her two children, Sarah, five, and Jake, four, with her when she delivers meals in western Monmouth County.

"I learned about the meaning of tzedaka from my parents," Fradkin said. "It's a privilege to teach the concept to my own children."

Feldman also shared that concept with her daughter Jessica, 23, who is studying for a graduate degree in special and general education.

"Every life is full of challenges and blessings," Feldman said. "Giving back to your community is one of the greatest blessings."

Both women said the selection of Krantz as the recipient of the 2007 Woman of Distinction award further exemplifies the meaning of tzedaka and tikun olam.

As a former chair of the Monmouth County federation's Women's Philanthropy and a long-time supporter of federation causes in Monmouth and Ocean counties, Krantz "has always shared her own blessings with others," Feldman said.

"And that's what it's all about. If Bobbi believes in something, she gives it her total commitment. She sets such a great example for women who are beginning their involvement with the federation, as well as those who have supported the federation for years. She's a role model for all of us."