Arlene Frumkin, president of the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, places a pomegranate pin on Judith Steinweis.
May 20, 2008
Sisters Linda Solomon and Jill Rappaport have covered the Academy Awards and interacted with hundreds of celebrities in their careers, but having these icons reveal the touching and sometimes embarrassing details of their bar and bat mitzvas was a special assignment.
The result was a book, Mazel Tov! Celebrities’ Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories, which includes stories of Howie Mandel’s low-budget simha, Marlee Matlin’s emotional Torah reading, and the theatrical grandmother who upstaged Harvey Fierstein.
Solomon, a photojournalist, and Rappaport, an entertainment reporter, reported anecdotes from their book on May 14 at the Main Event women’s fundraiser, a joint event of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County.
The event, which drew approximately 350 women to the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, marked the first year that the two fundraising umbrellas had joined forces to raise money to benefit Jewish communities locally, nationally, in Israel and around the world.
Those in attendance at the Main Event made 2008 campaign gifts totaling $251,400 for the Monmouth federation.
Authors Jill Rappaport, left, and Linda Solomon autographed copies of their book, Mazel Tov! Celebrities’ Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories. Behind them are the event’s chairs, from left: Dawn Barofsky of Monmouth, Amy Schafer and Ruth Bash, both of Middlesex, and Robin Parness of Monmouth. Photos by Debra Rubin
The event featured vendors selling everything from scarves to jewelry, stationery, and belts. Raffle tickets were sold for donated gift baskets filled with theater or sporting event packages, beauty products, toys, gym memberships, and other items.
“I came to be with women from all over to be part of a community for the good of the Jewish people,” said Naomi Lasky of Somerset.
Ruth Hyman of West End said she comes to such events because of her longstanding interest in Israel.
“As Jews in America we have to do what we can to help Israel,” she said. “That’s what I’m all about.”
Paula Masciulli of Monroe welcomed the partnership between the two federations.
“It’s been great to have women come together, in terms of philanthropy, for the first time from both Middlesex and Monmouth,” she said. “We are supporting the community and it’s a nice blend.”
The program honored women who have stood out for their generosity to the federations.
Those honored as Pomegranates for giving at least $1,800 were Judith Steinweis of Middlesex and Dawn Barofsky, Sandie Kapp, and Dr. Mindy Wiser-Estin of Monmouth.
Those cited at the newly created Crown of Esther level for donating at least $3,600 were Gail Shapiro Scott, Meryl Gonchar, Debra Bermann, and Mindy Highstein from Middlesex and Judy Borell from Monmouth.
Lions of Judah receiving pins for donating $5,000 were Laurie Landy of Monmouth and Aimee Ostrov from Middlesex. Linda Block from Middlesex became a Ruby Lion for donating at least $10,000.
Rappaport spoke of how Mandel, host of NBC’s Deal or No Deal, said his parents were so cheap they didn’t bother to hire a photographer for his bar mitzva reception. Instead, they rather relied on Mandel’s uncle, a courtroom sketch artist.
Lilly Ezrachie in center of East Brunswick, owner of Adorn Yourself, was among the vendors at the Main Event. She is surrounded by her daughter Michelle and Nancy Young of East Brunswick.
“Whatever he did he heard his uncle yell, ‘hold that pose,’” said Rappaport.
Actor and playwright Fierstein remembered that his grandmother faked a heart attack as he stood chanting on the bima because she wanted be the center of attention.
Solomon said one of the most touching recollections came from Matlin, the deaf Academy Award-winning actress, who while chanting from the Torah noticed her parents were crying.
“She was mortified because being deaf she assumed she was doing something wrong,” said Solomon. “Then the rabbi came over and put his arm around her and said, ‘Those are tears of joy. Those tears will be a blessing on this Torah.’”
Also addressing the women was Danny Rosenberg of Manalapan, a law school student in Albany, who recently went on a Birthright Israel trip, another beneficiary of federation funding.
The trip changed his outlook on Israel and his Jewish lineage as he discovered “the history of our people” and a place “we can call home” that allowed Rosenberg to connect with his Jewish heritage.
“It was truly the trip of a lifetime,” he said. “I have to thank you for sending me on this trip of a lifetime. I would never have gone if not for people like you.”
The event’s chairs were Dawn Barofsky and Robin Parness of Monmouth, and Amy Schafer and Ruth Bash of Middlesex.
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