MAKING CONNECTIONS G R E E N S B O R O J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N
Jenny Kaiser welcomes the crowd
Lee Bretan and Maya Gurfinkel smile with the sponsor of the event, Alina Spaulding (center)
LATKE VODKA & TZEDAKAH: A Party with a Purpose SMALL COMMUNITY, BIG IMPACT SMALL COMMUNITY, BIG IMPACT This year’s Major Gifts Event, held on Zoom, was entitled Small Community, Big Impact and featured the inspiring Clive Lawton, a British educator, broadcaster and writer. He is most known for his current role as Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Jewish Council and as the founder of Limmud Clive Lawton International, a volunteer-driven Jewish learning experience that holds events across the globe. Mr. Lawton spoke about the power of small communities and stated, “Judaism was never meant to be a majority – we were always meant to be a minority. And we should not just strive to survive as such – we should endeavor to thrive.” Special thanks to Larry and Caren Appel, co-chairs of the event, who spoke about their involvement with the Federation and the positive impact it has had on so many community members. More than 100 people were in the Zoom room. All major donors local to Greensboro received goodie bags, dropped off at their homes, prior to the event containing Federation branded mugs as well as tea and crumpets in honor of the event’s British speaker.
A full house gathered for Latke, Vodka, & Tzedakah on Wednesday, December 1 at 913 Whiskey Bar and Southern Kitchen. This year, the event was put on in-person by the Engagement Committee for both men and women who wanted to “party with a purpose!” Jenny Kaiser, a member of the Engagement Committee and Vice President of Marketing at the Jewish Federation spoke to the crowd before introducing Matt Marks. Marks, who brought friends along from his nursing program, lit the menorah, as everyone sang the Hanukkah candle-lighting blessing. Salad, fried okra, fried pickles, flatbread pizza, and latkes with all the toppings were served by 913 Whiskey Bar, owned by Dan and Alyssa Gatto who are members of the Greensboro Jewish community. In addition, the mixologists at 913 Whiskey Bar concocted a festive “Maccabee Mule” for the “Vodka” portion of Latke, Vodka,& Tzedakah. As for tzedakah, attendees were able to donate their drink ticket to help subsidize rides on the JFS Van. Funds were raised, and many friends were made throughout the evening! Special thanks to Alina Gerlovin Spaulding for sponsoring this event and to the G-FLI Alumni Committee and J-Triad for helping to promote it.
G-FLI cohorts enjoyed the in-person outdoor event.
10 I
SHALOM GREENSBORO JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
