Auxiliary Spring Luncheon Shares New Beginnings

The Auxiliary of The William Breman Jewish Home hosted their annual Spring Luncheon and 2023 Board Installation on May 22 at Temple Sinai with almost 150 participants.

The program opened with a greeting, followed by mission comments presented by Shirley Bernes and Robyn Tannenbaum, Auxiliary co-chairs. Jody Goldstein, chair of the nominating committee, then led the 2023-2024 Board slate introduction. A new slate of officers, carrying forward the mission to lead and serve, will take over as of July 1.

After lunch, Tannenbaum announced the organization’s new fundraising approach, and shared, “With the concept of new beginnings, the auxiliary will be teaming up with Jewish HomeLife’s 2023 annual campaign. Our Auxiliary is an army of women and men over 1,100 strong; what a perfect match to assist Jewish HomeLife to raise the necessary funds to provide for our residents and support our incredible compassionate staff, who take care of our loved ones 24/7. I am delighted to share with you that part of my role as co-chair of the Auxiliary this year will include co-chairing the annual campaign with Billie Greenberg.”

Shirley Bernes and Robyn Tannenbaum, co-chairs of the Auxiliary of The William Breman Jewish Home.

Tannenbaum added, “There will be no more galas in our future. With more younger people bringing fresh enthusiasm, it is a new time for the younger mothers and daughters, a new generation, to lead with their fresh enthusiasm.”

Jewish HomeLife President and CEO Jeffrey A. Gopen then explained that “this new fundraising model is about a mission from the heart that does not need to include pomp and circumstance. Through stories that move people, we touch and change people’s lives while educating and supporting them.”

The Auxiliary Luncheon and Board Installation is a warm event that gives recognition and focuses on where Jewish HomeLife is going.

Kyle Simon received the L’Dor V’Dor Award for his dedicated volunteer work in the Jean A. Cohen Gift Shop, located in the lobby of the Breman Jewish Home.

“We are supported by 1,100 members of the Auxiliary, who help better the lives of the residents, and engage, support, and welcome new ideas and perspectives,” Gopen said. “When the world is too busy to love and support, we fill in the gap and provide love and support for our families and better care for our own team.”

Bernes then presented a special L’dor V’dor Award to Kyle Simon, son of Michele Simon, who volunteer together each Wednesday in the Jean A. Cohen Gift Shop, located in the lobby of the Breman Jewish Home. As Kyle Simon came to the bima to accept his award, he happily suggested that each Auxiliary member should consider buying a lifetime membership.

“We need more younger people here,” said past Board chair Steve Berman, after delivering the Hamotzi and cutting the challah. “All grandparents should have kids as life members.”

Nareen Bennett, Jewish HomeLife’s director of quality and training, is teaching Jewish HomeLife’s certified nursing aides how to become certified medication aides.

Gopen introduced Nareen Bennett, Jewish HomeLife’s director of quality and training, who received the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s 2023 Marilyn Shubin Staff Professional Staff Development Award and is teaching Jewish HomeLife’s certified nursing aides how to become certified medication aides.

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,” Bennett explained.

Additional award recipients included Stephanie Shields for Volunteer of the Year and Sue Saban, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nancy Baron and Miriam Mimi Lewis won the raffle, and Sandra Banks, of A Kosher Touch, who catered the lunch, won the diamond bracelet from Sue Sandalon’s Jewelry.

“It is a gift and a pleasure to volunteer at the Jewish Home,” Auxiliary past president Sherry Habif, exclaimed. “I have been volunteering for almost 15 years, because it brings pleasure and happiness to the residents who need a big hello, a smiling face, and a loving touch. With a chance to be artistically creative, I love decorating the lobby of the Jewish Home, as you walk in the door, welcoming all with cheerful greeting. What fun and love I receive in making our residents happy.”