The Magic of Sharsheret — Celebrating our Midwest Champions

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024

7:00 PM

BRYN MAWR COUNTRY CLUB
LINCOLNWOOD, IL

Kosher dietary laws observed

BIOS

Leah Jones
Leah has been an active member of the Chicago Jewish community since 2005 and is a founding member of Sharsheret’s Illinois Community Advisory Committee. Leah has served as the President of Emanuel Congregation twice, and has planned fundraisers, organized special events and engaged in strategic planning on behalf of the Edgewater-based Reform synagogue and is a proud convert to Judaism. She is a co-founder of TBD Minyan, joined the ROI Community in 2007, and is a Wexner Heritage Fellow in the Chicago 17 cohort. She is the Head of Marketing Operations at Mesirow and host of the podcast Finding Favorites. Leah was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and immediately called Sharsheret to pause volunteering and seek support as a patient. Leah has shared her breast cancer story online and in person, and advocates for genetic testing in our community.

 

Rachel and Richard Silverman

Rachel and Richard Silverman live in Chicago, Illinois and are the proud parents of Talya, Avigayil, Dovi and Orli Silverman. Rachel, a native Chicagoan, is an active mother and community volunteer. Rachel is currently serving as co-chair of NILI (the women’s learning division of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel) and is deeply involved with her children’s school (Arie Crown Hebrew Day School).  She has also previously volunteered with United Bikur Cholim and the Midwest Refuah Health Center. Richard is a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, and is actively involved as a lay leader in numerous community organizations, including Congregation KINS, Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, Associated Talmud Torahs, and the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel.  Rachel and Richard enjoy spending time together with family and friends, especially when it involves visiting Israel!  

Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer in the Fall of 2022 following her first mammogram at age 40, and was fortunate to receive tremendous support during her journey from her family, countless friends, Sharsheret, and other community organizations. She looks forward to sharing the impact this journey has had on her life and the importance of taking an active role in protecting one’s health. 

 

Dennis Watkins

Dennis Watkins is a third-generation magician, actor and entertainer with awards and honors from the Joseph Jefferson Committee, the Society of American Magicians, the Desert Magic Seminar and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
His critically acclaimed, award-winning show, The Magic Parlour, has been running in the heart of downtown Chicago since 2009.
His performances have been seen on CBS, FOX, WGN, ABC, the A&E network, and he was recently featured on The CW’s Penn & Teller Fool Us.

Event Chairs

Vanessa and Arthur Ehrlich | Rivka and Doni Garden

Michelle and Brian Levinson | Tova and Michael Perl | Ari and Aliza Steinberg

Host Committee (in formation)

Miriam and Shelly Aberman | Rebecca and Jeremy Amster | Malka and Yisrael Bogopulsky| Dr. Nechama and Rabbi Reuven Brand | Sarah and Marc Chodera| Robyn and Randy Cohen| Mariya and Max Dayan | Dr. Allison DePersia | Yael and Gershon Draiman | Elias and Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman | Aliza and Craig Frank | Yehudit and Aaron Gavant | Liz and David Geifman | Chaili and Adam Glickman | Ashlyn and Daniel Gorlin | Adina and Kevin Greenberg | Andrea and Moe Herman | Chani and Yehuda Isenberg  | Miriam and Dr. Eli Jacobs | Lisa and Dr. Edward Kaplan | Ilana and Howard Karesh | Daliah and Joshua Katz | Orah and Lev Katz | Nora and Matthew Koenig | Arleen Leib | Ayelet and Rabbi Aaron Leibtag | Becca and Justin Malina | Ellie and David Merzel | Elana and Nachum Meyers | Drs. Yvette and Jeremy Miller | Sima and Jeff Neiger |Dr. Catherine Pesce | Ronnie Raviv | Goldie and Igor Rebel | Jennie and Avi Rothner  | Atara and Scottie Schayer | Carol Silverman | Devora and Alan Sorscher | Ilana and Rabbi Moshe Spirn | Raanana and Reuven Stein | Sari and Noam Wittlin

Community Advisory Committee

Iris Bass | Rifi Bleichman | Linda Cohen | Robin Cohen | Mitch Dayan |
Dr. Carol Ellman | Vanessa Ehrlich | Ellie Bodner Fishman |  Daniel Gorlin |  Debra Hartman |  Leah Jones |
Becky Koren | Yael Ripstein | Teresa Robot | Heidi Schrage |  Jane Shapiro | Sari Winick

SPONSORS

Underwriter Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Community Partners

To learn more about becoming a sponsor or for any other questions, contact Jenny Stein at [email protected] or call: 312 767 2045.