by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

August 26, 2008

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth County raised more than $150,000 at its 25th annual tribute dinner at Temple Beth El in Oakhurst.

Almost 300 attended the Aug. 14 event, which honored the extended Schultz family for their longtime philanthropic efforts.

“In terms of fund-raising and attendance, this is the most successful tribute dinner we’ve ever had,” said Paul Freedman, executive director of JF&CS, whose main office is in Asbury Park. “But the Schultz family made it easy.”

Harvey Schultz and his sons operate the Schultz Organization, Onyx Properties, and Pyramid Partners, which are commercial real estate investment, development, and brokerage companies. He and his wife, Ethel, live in Ocean Township; Jonathan and Alison Schultz and their children Evan, nine, and Mackenzie, seven, and Steven and Jaime Schultz and Matt, 17, and Jaclyn, 13, all live in Colts Neck.

The family has been involved in the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County, Beth El, the American Cancer Society, National Council of Jewish Women, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, and the Monmouth County SPCA.

“The practice and traditions of tzedaka emanate from this family,” said Freedman. “Harvey and Ethel instilled these virtues in their sons, Jonathan and Steven, and their respective spouses, Alison and Jaime, share these beliefs. And now, the practice of tzedaka will continue through the generations.”

“It’s a proud and wonderful feeling to be honored with your family,” Harvey Schultz told NJJN. “Ours is a very community-minded family, and we try to give back as much as we can. Ethel’s parents and my parents taught us the importance and true value of giving back, and we shared those values with our sons and daughters-in-law. And now they’re teaching the values to their children — it’s nice to pass this along through the generations.”

All the Schultzes attend Beth El, which has become the core of the family’s life, Ethel Schultz said.

“That’s where the concepts of tzedaka and community involvement were reinforced throughout my life,” she told NJJN. “My family and Harvey’s have been members there for four generations. We’re very lucky — our parents taught us to do the right thing, and our involvement in the temple continues to foster that notion for us, our children, and our grandchildren. We’re not takers; we’re givers.”

“It is the family’s collective involvement in community support and charitable support that’s the focus of the JF&CS tribute,” Steven Schultz told NJJN. “All members of my family support causes that are important to each other, along with our individual interests. For us, it’s the natural thing to do.”

JF&CS, a beneficiary agency of the federation, provides counseling, community service, support groups, and an array of special programs for a nonsectarian clientele.

“They support the work we do to help other people on an everyday basis,” said Freedman. “They recognize that we all have needs — everyone wants to be comfortable and have a chance to contribute to society. Everyone, whether members of the county’s Holocaust population, or the elderly homebound, deserves to live a life of dignity and respect.”

And it’s the belief system that Harvey and Ethel Schultz taught their children that has enabled the rest of the family to appreciate the good works of others, Steven Schultz added.

“Our hearts, minds, and spirits were molded by our parents,” he said. “Their values and beliefs have helped us define who we are and acknowledge when it’s a time to give, receive, or hold firm. My brother and I have already begun to share the importance of charitable giving with our children.

“From generation to generation is the essence of the Jewish people. Our family’s spirit of giving will continue.”

--TOP--

Comment: comments@njjewishnews.com