by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

April 22, 2008

Jewish women philanthropists from Monmouth and Middlesex counties will join forces for a major fund-raiser on May 14.

Although the women have participated in other joint events in recent years, this marks the first time they have partnered for the annual Main Event, the signature women’s event of the Jewish federations representing each of the counties.

The 2008 Main Event will combine the efforts of Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County and the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County.

The occasion aims to attract a larger group of attendees and an even greater outpouring of generosity, according to event cochairs Dawn Barofsky and Robin Parness of Monmouth County and Amy Schafer and Ruth Bash of Middlesex County.

“When a lot of like-minded women get together for an event like this, it becomes more exciting and reflects a fresh approach,” said Schafer, a resident of East Brunswick. “This year’s Main Event is another wonderful way to bring together women from Middlesex and Monmouth counties.”

The event, which will begin with a vendor fair and gift basket raffle at 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, will feature Today Show entertainment correspondent Jill Rappaport and her sister, photojournalist Linda Solomon. The pair has collaborated on a new book, Mazel Tov: Celebrities’ Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories.

The food served at the event will be glatt kosher.

But the true spirit of the evening always revolves around donor generosity. At the 2007 Main Event, more than 200 members of the Monmouth federation’s Women’s Philanthropy raised approximately $319,162, while more than 200 members of the Middlesex federation’s Women’s Division raised approximately $345,138. This year’s attendance may exceed a combined total of 400 women, the cochairs said.

As for the event’s proceeds, each federation keeps the campaign pledges from their respective women’s division, while the money from the raffles will be split evenly.

The funds raised at each annual Main Event become part of the federations’ annual campaign. The monies support a variety of projects, including social services and home delivery of kosher meals, resettlement of immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia, chaplaincy programs, and assistance to Israeli victims of terror.

“We’re working hard to ensure that both groups will exceed last year’s donations,” said Barofsky, a Wayside resident. “By working together, both federations will be able to attract hundreds of philanthropic women in one evening, and they can socialize and demonstrate their commitment to the programs and services that are provided by the federations.”

When Bash was asked to cochair the Middlesex federation’s 2008 Main Event, a sense of commitment to the various projects and services was a strong incentive.

“The Main Event is important in so many ways,” said Bash, of East Brunswick. “The federations, the Women’s Division, and Women’s Philanthropy are absolutely committed to helping those in need in the Jewish community and in the general community as well. I was very proud to be asked to be a cochair of this year’s event. I think this is a very empowering occasion for all of the participants.”

Parness, a Morganville resident, said donor generosity was among her sources of inspiration.

“The women who attend these events are extremely warm and giving, and there is a huge outpouring of energy that is contagious,” she said. “This year, we have an opportunity to use the best ideas of the Monmouth and Middlesex groups. All of the cochairs have been so enthusiastic and open to each other’s suggestions, and knowing and working with them has enriched my own life on many levels.”

Pledge information about the 2008 Main Event is available from the Middlesex federation office at 732-432-7711 or the Monmouth federation office at 732-531-6200.

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