Hadassah’s Best Strokes Honors the Courage of Many
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Hadassah’s Best Strokes Honors the Courage of Many

The Big Reveal 2019, Hadassah’s 5th annual Celebration of Life, welcomed 340 guests March 10 at The Foundry at Puritan Mill.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe March 13, 2019, 12:22 pm Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

  • Honorary chair Martha Jo Katz greeted guests along with honoree Cynthia Good, who wore accessories by Vintage by Cathy, an Art Walk vendor at the event.
    Honorary chair Martha Jo Katz greeted guests along with honoree Cynthia Good, who wore accessories by Vintage by Cathy, an Art Walk vendor at the event.
  • Joan Solomon, Hadassah publicity chair, poses with event co-chair Debra Sharker and Phyllis Cohen of the steering committee.
    Joan Solomon, Hadassah publicity chair, poses with event co-chair Debra Sharker and Phyllis Cohen of the steering committee.
  • Artist Steven White sold his black oils on canvass to benefit breast cancer research.
    Artist Steven White sold his black oils on canvass to benefit breast cancer research.
  • Leola Reis displayed sterling silver Judaica at the Art Walk.
    Leola Reis displayed sterling silver Judaica at the Art Walk.
  • Leola Reis displayed sterling silver Judaica at the Art Walk.
    Leola Reis displayed sterling silver Judaica at the Art Walk.
  • The Foundry At Puritan Mill was a spacious backdrop for vegetarian stations by Affairs to Remember and a lively auction and fundraising challenge.
    The Foundry At Puritan Mill was a spacious backdrop for vegetarian stations by Affairs to Remember and a lively auction and fundraising challenge.

The Big Reveal 2019, Hadassah’s 5th annual Celebration of Life, welcomed 340 guests March 10 at The Foundry at Puritan Mill.

Motivational speaker Michael Blair was the emcee and auctioneer. He was ever so impactful as he read the donations on his big screen to encourage others to pitch in to exceed the $20,000 goal.

“As a survivor of 6 ½ years, I was painted three years ago, said event co-chair Debra Sharker. “When I was asked to chair this event, I felt it was my passion to execute it. It actually took nine months. And here we are raising meaningful money to fight the disease.”

Later in her formal speech she said, “There is much hope on the horizon for a new blood test to predict mutations and the formulation of gene profiles.”

Marsha Cintorino was co-chair. Honorary chair was Martha Jo Katz, international fashion model, event consultant, author, advocate, motivator, and patron of women’s causes. She recounted her numerous family members and friends who had fought cancer.

“I have marveled at the strength and courage I saw among those whose life changed in seconds. And I began to realize it is up to each one of us to give our BEST to get this disease by supporting organizations such as Hadassah that are committed to the advancement of research for a cure and more humane treatment for those affected.”

Survivor Beatrice Monteiro recognized artist Alberto Hernandez, whose Toucan painting represents her strength celebrating three years of being cancer free.

Honoree Cynthia Good, champion of diversity and women’s empowerment and creator of LittlePinkBook.com, spoke poignantly with an eloquent poem, “Elegy to Elaine.” She wrote about the journey of losing her mother to cancer, excerpted here:

“…and I can’t quite escape the fear and the grief of losing her – mortality – no match for her in her auburn wig, ‘Prettier than my own hair,’ she says when it finally arrives, ‘I’ve always wanted bangs,’ she laughs making me a pot of tea topped off with mint from her garden, where she clips flowers, the open blossoms always present in her home.”

At the event, four nurses were honored for their dedication and compassion.

Lively vendors formed the Art Walk, alongside a live auction and Treasure Chest Raffle won by Helena Solodar. Honoree Katz wore a necklace she bought from sculptor Judy Robkin’s “Ladies Series.”

Affairs To Remember presented a square shaped buffet with vegetable tacos, grilled salmon on salad, and butternut squash ravioli with choice of white or red sauce. Bartenders served a specialty cocktail developed for the honorees, “Good Katz Meow.”

Rita Loventhal, former chair of the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, assessed the night. “To sum it up, I applaud the courage and tenacity of the survivors and dear friends gathered here.”

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