SOPAC Celebration Journal November 14, 2020

VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF SOPAC SATURDAY

November 14, 2020

and the beat goes on...

HONORING Leo & Barbara Sender

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WELCOME TO OUR BRAVE NEW WORLD!

We are so glad you joined us this evening to celebrate the arts and SOPAC. Little did we think we would be greeting you over the internet this year- but we are determined to focus on all the positive things that surround us despite not being able to come together in person. Our community, patrons, donors and sponsors, the artists that bring us such joy, the students who are hungry to learn and achieve, our Board and staff are all pillars that support the South Orange Performing Arts Center in its mission to engage, inspire, entertain and transform lives.

Tonight, we honor two very special people.

Barbara and Leo Sender have been great supporters of SOPAC since the very beginning 14 years ago. Leo was invited to join the Board because of his financial acumen and through the years his advice and guidance have helped us weather the growing pains of a young arts center. The financial collapse of 2008 came close on the heels of opening in 2006 but Leo’s steady hand helped stabilize the financial difficulties. An annual donation from a family foundation displays their generosity in both time and treasure. Both Leo and Barbara are avid attendees of concerts, member receptions and galas and they would often be spotted in the lobby prior to a show greeting friends and acting as ambassadors for the SOPAC experience.

Their loyalty, good humor and steady presence are part of the tapestry of things we can rely on to always be so.

We hope you enjoy this evening of celebration and we invite you to come back to feel the magic of a SOPAC performance once we open our doors again. In the meantime, we are offering a range of virtual experiences that we think will add to your arts experiences exponentially. Members receive free admission to many of these events, so please consider supporting SOPAC with a membership this year.

We wish all of you good health as the challenges of 2020 continue to unfold. Let the arts be your north star of serenity and joy through these times. We join all of you in spirit- and we can’t wait to see you in person once again.

Sincerely,

Dee Billia Acting Executive Director

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU

BARBARA & LEO SENDER FOURTEEN YEARS SUPPORTING SOPAC

Barbara – For your unfailing enthusiasm for SOPAC and sharing Leo with the Board of Governors Leo – For your accounting expertise, advice and counsel to the SOPAC Board.

Tony & Jennifer Leitner

DEAR PATRONS

Yes, it has been an exceedingly difficult year.

During these tough times it is especially important to remember what we have to celebrate – family and friends for sure. If you’re watching this program, one of the things we all celebrate is SOPAC. Personally, it is my happy place. We celebrate our talented and committed staff who have put this Celebration together with Shana Baer, our Associate Director of Development, and Katelyn Fatzler, our Development Manager.

We celebrate our wise and wonderful Board of Governors. We celebrate the performers. We celebrate Barbara and Leo Sender, tonight’s honorees. And more than anything, we celebrate you, our patrons. You make everything possible.

SOPAC will weather this COVID storm because we have a smart team to help us navigate these rough waters. No one knows when we will be able to open our doors to present live shows and we are taking a fiscally conservative approach to see us through. Tonight’s Celebration is about showing you all that has made SOPAC New Jersey’s Favorite Small Performing Arts Center 6 years running! Tonight, we need your help to come out of this pandemic strong. We need your financial support to get us to 7 years in a row. So, when it comes to the silent auction and the paddle raise, we ask that you dig deep. We are deeply grateful for your generous support.

Enjoy the show and I look forward to welcoming you back when we finally can open our doors once again.

Onward,

Paul Bartick SOPAC Chair

Finding inspiration is important.

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M&T Bank is proud to support And the Beat Goes On...A Virtual Celebration of SOPAC and the Arts.

Equal Housing Lender. ©2020 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. Support provided by The M&T Charitable Foundation and its corporate sponsor, M&T Bank.

HONORING

Leo & Barbara Sender

Leo Sender was born in Germany, and came to the United States at the age of eight, lived in the Bronx, and eventually moved to New Jersey. He attended the Bernard Baruch School of City College, became a member of the honorary accounting fraternity, and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, Mr. Sender returned to Bernard Baruch College and earned a Master of Business Administration in Accounting.

In 1963, after becoming a Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Sender worked for a jewelry chain as Chief Financial Officer, eventually becoming Senior Vice-President. In 1968 he became Controller of Seton Company, a publicly-held corporation, later becoming Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. He left in 1986 to go out on his own as a CPA. In 1958 Mr. Sender married Barbara. They lived in Millburn and Short Hills, for nearly 50 years, moving in 2007 to East Hanover, where they currently reside.

They have three children and three grandchildren.

In Millburn, they joined Congregation B’nai Israel, where they both served on the Board, and he was Vice-President. He was also President of the Millburn South Mountain Civic Association. The Senders currently belong to Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange, where Mr. Sender serves on the Investment Committee.

Mr. Sender’s involvement in SOPAC goes back to its inception, when a tennis-playing friend asked him to join the Board and serve on the Finance Committee. He became the first non-South Orange nor Maplewood resident on the Board. He is still on the Finance Committee and is Chairman of the Audit Committee.

The Senders are frequent attendees of SOPAC where they thoroughly enjoy the outstanding entertainment.

Leo is a long-standing member of the SOPAC Board of Governors, both are long-time SOPAC supporters.

PERFORMANCES BY

Dar Williams

An internationally renowned Israeli singer-songwriter, recognized for his dynamic guitar performances and humanitarian efforts. His signature sound brings together the influence of Spanish Flamenco, American Folk, Rock and Roll, and poetry.

American singer-songwriter specializing in Pop Folk, whom Hendrik Hertzberg of The New Yorker has described as “one of America’s very best singersongwriters.”

Photo by Gil Lavi

David Broza

PERFORMANCES BY

Richie Furay

Catherine Russell

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, celebrated for pioneering Country-Rock as founding member of the legendary and quintessential groups Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and the SoutherHillman-Furay band.

Grammy Award-winning vocalist best known for her stunning vocal approach and interpretive works in Blues and early Jazz, best known for her 2016 album Harlem on My Mind.

HOSTED BY

PERFORMANCE BY

Matt & Anne Servitto

Christiane Noll

Matt, local actor and recent director best known for his roles on The Sopranos and Banshee, and Anne, your local singing realtor.

SOMA - or is it MAPSO? residents and proud SOPAC supporters.

A Tony Award-nominated star for her portrayal of Mother in the Kennedy Center Revival of Ragtime on Broadway.

She made her Broadway debut as Emma in Jekyll & Hyde and most recently starred in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, before Covid-19 forced it to close.

Modern Auto Body is a full-service auto body repair facility that has been performing high quality, guaranteed auto body repairs in the South Orange area since 1932.

Modern has earned a reputation as a qualified, honest, quality repair facility through its many years in business. Our reputation is founded on our commitment to your satisfaction of everything involved in the auto body business.

Our management and staff are dedicated to meet and exceed all of your expectations.

Modern Auto Body has always admired SOPAC – and as a local South Orange business, we are very happy to provide this Virtual Celebration.

343 Valley Street | South Orange, NJ 07079 | Tel: 973 763-1149

AUCTIONEER

Charles Antin Charles is delighted to be back at SOPAC once again.

Charles has auctioneered hundreds of benefits over the last decade and when he isn’t helping non-profits he is a fiction writer where his work has appeared in Food & Wine, The New York Times, the VQR and more.

Thank you to the devoted

SOPAC volunteers

Carol Velez Fardin

for their assistance within both the theatre and the office.

email: cvfardin@kw.com mobile: (917) 450.8843 www.CVFproperties.com

We miss you!

Realtor

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

BRANDING & DESIGN

DIANE DEPAOLIS

dianedepaolis @gmail.com

201 532 2733

SPONSORS TITLE SPONSOR

DIRECTOR SPONSORS

Anthony & Jennifer Leitner

Seymour Beneroff SIGNATURE SPONSORS

DEPAOLIS DESIGNS

Bryna Linett & Peter Shapiro

Patricia A. Bell

Dean & Emily Kameros

Anne & Matt Servitto

Janet & Udi Toledano

Rev. Dr. Terry Richardson, First Baptist Church of South Orange

Anonymous Friend of SOPAC

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THE SOPAC BOARD OF GOVERNORS

HOST COMMITTEE SPONSORS

BOARD OFFICERS

BOARD MEMBERS

HOST COMMITTEE SPONSORS

Chair Paul Bartick

Claudine Baptiste Keesha Chavis Marc Chalom Dr. Paul Desjardins Julie Doran Matt Epstein Maureen Gammon Carol Gardner Julie Mason Groob Kevin Groob Douglas Newman Rev. Dr. Terry Richardson Robert Sandow Leo Sender Peter Shoemaker, PhD David Stone Karlyn Volk

Ed Ayuso Larry & Carol Brodey Marc Chalom & the Entire Chalom Family Harold & Nomi Colton-Max Samuel M. Convissor Paul & Cathy Desjardins Matt & Bari Epstein Sanford & Zella Felzenberg Steven Friedlander & Sandra Kaplan Robert & Mattye Gandel Randall Haase & Judy Rosenberg Howard & Margaret Jacobs Mark Murphy & Haneen Arafat Murphy Miriam Peretsman & Paul Breene Stephen & Lisa Plavin Rob Sandow & Joyce Isabelle Ann & Mel Schaffer Noel S. Siegel The Mark Slade Homes Team Matt & Adena Traub Hanie & Jerry Warshaw John & Roseanna Zoubek

Vice-Chair Larry Brodey Treasurer Randall Haase Secretary Jeremy Dobrish

South Orange Village President Sheena Collum Village of South Orange Trustee Liaison Stephen Schnall SOPAC Acting Executive Director Dee Billia

CELEBRATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Matt Epstein, Chairperson Claudine Baptiste Carol Brodey Marc Chalom Maureen Gammon Ann Schaffer Stephen Schnall

A very special “Thank You” to our first responders.

Please wear a mask for your own protection and those around you.

In Loving Memory of All Who Have Passed from Covid-19

AUCTION PROCEDURES SILENT AUCTION PROCEDURES Please visit celebratesopac.givesmart.com for all Silent Auction items and descriptions, noting any restrictions. SOPAC will not be responsible for auction items not redeemed within the time specified by the donor or within a year. Item descriptions are followed by a value or in the case of particularly unique items, the value is listed as priceless. Please note that only the amount paid over the fair market value is taxdeductible to the fullest extent provided by law.

PLACING A BID BID VIA TEXT Text “CELEBRATESOPAC” to 76278 and reply to the text message you receive with your first and last name. Then, reply to the following text message with your email address. Click on the link you receive to access the event site.

To see the current bid, reply to your welcome text and simply text the item number. Example: “102” then press send. Then, text the item number and amount you would like to bid. No dollar signs ($) needed.

Example: “102 300” then press send. You placed a $300 bid on item number 102.

PADDLE RAISE PROCEDURES The auctioneer will announce the start of the Paddle Raise segment live during the virtual celebration. If you have not already registered to participate in the Silent Auction, please text “CELEBRATESOPAC” to 76278 to set up an account. To make a pledge at any level, please text GIVE and the amount. The dollar sign ($) is not required. For example, to pledge $100, text “GIVE 100” to 76278. Your donation will be displayed onscreen during our virtual celebration.

If you prefer to contribute to the paddle raise online or to make an anonymous donation, please visit celebratesopac.givesmart.com and use the “Donate Now” feature on the homepage.

Please check the box for “Hide my donation from everyone but the organizer.” Donations made via celebratesopac.givesmart.com will help SOPAC reach our paddle raise goal.

PAYMENT If you are participating in the Silent Auction and/or the Paddle Raise, you may make a single payment for your items and pledges. You will receive a statement from GiveSmart detailing your items and pledges.

BID VIA WEBSITE Visit celebratesopac.givesmart.com and create an account if you do not already have one. Once registered, visit “Items” to view all Silent Auction items available. Click on an item you would like to bid on. The Bid amount pre-populates with the next minimum bid so all you have to do is press Bid.

American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are all accepted forms of payment via self-checkout.

To use the self-checkout feature, click on the Pay tab at the conclusion of the Silent Auction on November 14, 2020 after 10:00PM. Here you can easily review your purchase summary and confirm payment information directly from your mobile phone.

Set up automatic bidding to easily manage your priority items. Select the Auto Bid tab and enter your highest bid amount. Your bid will automatically increase as needed to keep you winning until your limit is reached! You will receive a text notification when you have been outbid at your highest amount entered.

Once payment is secured, a red PAID stamp will appear on the page and you will automatically be emailed a copy of your statement. Silent auction winners will be contacted directly with more information on how to claim a prize.

CLOSE OF BIDDING The last call for bidding will be on November 14, 2020 at 9:45PM. You will also receive a warning text message 10-15 before the close of the silent auction.

On November 14, 2020 at 10:00PM, the silent auction will close.

If you prefer to pay via check, please make checks payable to SOPAC and mail to SOPAC, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079.

All payments are final. Refunds are not permitted.

The SOPAC Board of Governors would like to celebrate our amazing staff for their hard-work and dedication as we navigate these uncharted waters. They continue to make everything at SOPAC possible.

Dee Billia, Acting Executive Director Kiera Demorin, Office Manager* Beth Fylstra, Chief Financial Officer Alicia Whavers, Director of Audience Services

SOPAC STAFF Sheila Corbin Daniels, Box Office Manager* Linda Beard, Director of Community Engagement* Rich Spector, Special Events & Rentals Manager*

Shana Baer, Associate Director of Development Katelyn Fatzler, Development Manager Kristin Svorinic, Director of Marketing Rob Cruz, Technical Director

SOPAC would also like to thank all of our part-timers who have remained patient and supportive of SOPAC during this difficult time. *Currently on furlough

Congratulations to SOPAC for its continued excellence in programming.

Thank you for your ongoing presence in our community during these difficult times.

Patricia A. Bell

The SOPAC Board of Governors wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation and the

Spirit of SOPAC Award to Leo & Barbara Sender for their many years of loyal service and support dating back to the 'hard-hat days.'

Thank you for helping SOPAC become New Jersey's Favorite Small Performing Arts Center six years running!

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Barbara & Leo Thank you for your years of service.

Roseanna & John Zoubek

Pollock Properties Group has expertly served over 800 families with their real estate needs, which has allowed us to raise and donate money directly back into our schools, local & global charities, arts initiatives and community events. Our business practices are communityfocused, servant-hearted and generosity-based. Now more than ever, we believe that our real estate business can and should make a difference in the communities we serve by supporting events like this celebration of SOPAC. And as always, we thank you for your referrals and recommendations of

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our real estate team -

Love, Vanessa Thank you SOPAC for bringing art & culture to our community!

(973) 544-8484 direct | (973)376-0033 office | PollockPropertiesGroup.com Each office independently owned and operated

The South Orange Village Center Alliance congratulates Honorees

Leo & Barbara Sender

and we thank them for their enormous contributions to SOPAC and downtown South Orange.

Congratulations,

Leo & Barbara,

on receiving this honor!

Thank you for your many years of dedication to SOPAC.

BUILDING STRENGTH IN ORGANIZATIONS SO THEY CAN MAKE A BETTER WORLD www.growthforgood.com

Congratulations

Maureen & Fred Gammon

Paul Bartick & Team SOPAC on another great year.

Congratulations to SOPAC and to all the honorees at tonight's celebration!

South Orange Branch

79 South Orange Ave. • South Orange, NJ South Orange Branch 79 South Orange Ave. • South Orange, NJ Daniel Testaverdi, Branch Manager Daniel Testaverdi, Branch Manager Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender Investors Bank name and weave logo are registered trademarks.

973.313.0232 •

® 2017 Investors Bank, All rights reserved.

investorsbank.com

973.313.0232 •® investorsbank.com

Investors Bank name and weave logo are registered trademarks.

Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender 2017 Investors Bank, All rights reserved.

Interior • Exterior • Carpentry General Home Improvements Angie’s List Super Service Award recipients for 10 consecutive years

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Congratulations to our honorees Leo and Barbara Sender Daria Knarvik

Congratulations,

this award is so very well deserved.

We love you and think the world of you!

In honor of

Sam Convissor for his 90th Birthday

Love, Belle, Sherry, Judy, Mark and Family

Nisso & Wendy Khabie

Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct commends and thanks SOPAC for the inspiring arts experience they bring to our community.

Congratulations Barbara and Leo!

181 Maplewood Ave. Maplewood kwmtdr.com 973-762-5400

Thank you for all that you do for SOPAC! Eileen and Larry Weiss

Thanks to all our clients and friends who donated to Thanksgiving Thursdays, feeding our Frontline workers.

diana@dianahartfinecatering.com

congratulations to SOPAC and the 2020 Honorees Leo & Barbara Sender promoting, preserving and beautifying the Montrose Park Historic District of South Orange https://historicmontrose.org

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS AUCTION DONORS AND PRIZE SOLICITORS… [words] Bookstore Alan Sobel American Dream Arte Vino Studio BCB Bank Berkeley Tennis Club BGR Bury the Hatchet Chris Bobbins Claudine Baptiste Eric & Andrea Gordon GlassRoots Indigo Road Studio Inspired Garden Jason Miller Jeff Rosolen Jenna Shulman College Consulting Jewish Community Center of Metrowest

Jill Abramson John McEwen Laura Janney Laura Packer Maplewood Country Club Marc David Designs Marc Maidenberg Mark Murphy Mark Murphy’s Music Matt Epstein Maureen Gammon Miti Miti Monster Mini Golf Nancy & David Fine Jewels Nancy & David Stone NJ Tae Kwon Do, Chung Do Kwan Oh! Canary Orange Lawn Tennis Club Pandang

Ramy Brook Randall E. Haase Rodan + Fields Shari Boockvar Siriux XM Sonny’s Bagels South Orange Frame Shop Stumpy’s Hatchet House Tac Ops Laser Tag The Gypset The Real Real The Rose Hammer T-Mobile Turtle Back Zoo Winspire Yoni Kreger Salon

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE DONATIONS IN HONOR OF SOPAC AND OUR DISTINGUISHED HONOREES: Adam Kerins Ann Tomea Deborah Prinz & Lawrence Neher Donna Coallier DSDK Productions Elizabeth Fatzler Eric & Yael Miller

Fred Fatzler & Cathy Mercadante James & Karen Kane Jennifer & Steven Kay Josh Jacobs Leo & Barbara Sender Lori & Zach Rosenbaum Maureen & Frederick Gammon Milwood & Kimberly Hobbs

Reggie & Allie Dvorin Ryan Donohue Sandra & Donald Miller Shari & Marshall Sollender Sheila Appel Tanisha Green Tara & Dale Favors Walter Mendez & Chris Tomea

TO SHEENA COLLUM, DAVID MASSONI AND THE FOX & FALCON…THANK YOU FOR BREAKING AWAY FROM ELECTION COVERAGE ON NOVEMBER 3rd AND FOR YOUR AMAZING “ONE-TAKE” FILMING SKILLS. TO ALL ENTERTAINERS AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE VIRTUAL CELEBRATION SHOW...THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES, ENTHUSIASM, RECORDING PROWESS AND SUPPORT OF SOPAC. TO THE AMAZING SOPAC STAFF…THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND SPIRIT TO HELP SOPAC SURVIVE. TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS LED BY PAUL BARTICK…THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNPARALLED DEDICATION TO SOPAC, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE TUMULTUOS TIMES. TO THE AMAZING GRAPHIC DESIGNER, DIANE DEPAOLIS…THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, CREATIVITY AND DONATION OF YOUR TIME TO MAKE ALL OF THE CELEBRATION ASSETS SHINE. TO DIANA HART & DIANA HART FINE CATERING...THANK YOU FOR YOUR DELICIOUS FOOD, AMAZING SERVICE AND PRESENTATION, AND ALL THAT YOU DO TO FEED THE FRONTLINE WORKERS IN AND AROUND OUR COMMUNITY. AND TO ALL OF YOU…THE SPONSORS, TICKET PURCHASERS, DONORS, PATRONS, GUESTS… THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENDLESS SUPPORT OF SOPAC! As of November 10, 2020

In Loving Memory

Grayce Coviello 1958-2020

Director of Audience Services at SOPAC

Forever loved, forever missed, forever our wonderful Grayce