Whether they were celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas–in English or another language–everyone was warmly welcomed at Jewish Family Service’s annual winter soiree. This year the longtime party launched as “The Faces of JFS,” focused on the diversity of its clients. Traditionally the organization honors its own at the always-anticipated holiday party, and this year was no exception as Gay Curtiss–Lusher and Sam Zaitz were recognized for their leadership, philanthropy and dedication to JFS and the community. The event netted nearly $375,000 to benefit the life-transforming work of the agency.
Co-chairs Stephanie Zaitz and Jeremy Abelson (center), with honoree Sam Zaitz
On Thursday, Dec. 14, the evening at Grand Hyatt Denver began with a cocktail reception and red-carpet photo opportunity for all partygoers by A Custom Look Photography. Lively music by Spinphony created a festive atmosphere as a massive buffet of themed culinary stations featured selections from around the world. Event co-chairs Ben Lusher and Stephanie Zaitz welcomed the crowd and began the dinner program (other event co-chairs were Barry Curtiss-Lusher and Jeremy Abelson). Shepard Nevel, president and CEO, talked about the agency, citing problems facing citizens in Colorado and how JFS helps. The program continued as Board Chair Charile Gwirtsman and Vice Chair Leanna Harris introduced award recipients to the stage: Sam Zaitz, for the Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award; and Gay Curtiss-Lusher, accepting the Kal and Joyce Zeff Humanitarian Award. The program ended with stories of three JFS clients portrayed by actors…and culminated with a heartwarming moment as the actual clients joined the actors on stage.
JFS client Kalin Rock (center), with his sister Savannah and JFS president and CEO Shepard Nevel
Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome life’s challenges to live fuller, more meaningful lives. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently at home, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other people with barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis.
Every year, the agency benefits nearly 25,000 people of all ages, faiths and incomes. Jewish Family Service is recognized as a premier human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder by providing innovative and professionally delivered services that empower its participants. JFS exists to fulfill one of the most important Jewish values: that of Tikkun Olam, the obligation to make the world a better place. For more information, please, visit www.jewishfamilyservice.com, or call 303-597-5000. You can also follow JFS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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- Honoree Sam Zaitz, with wife and event co-chair Stephanie Zaitz
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- Honorees Sam Zaitz, Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award; with Gay Curtiss-Lusher, Kal and Joyce Zeff Humanitarian Award
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- Spinphony entertains at the reception.
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- Chloe and Ashley Barkhorn
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- (l to r): Allan Weiss, Laurie Picus and Rabbi Steven Foster
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- Tables are set for 350 at the Grand Hyatt Denver.
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- (l to r): Jaime Miller Altman, Seth Altman and Dianna Zeff Anderson
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- Co-chairs Stephanie Zaitz and Jeremy Abelson (center), with honoree Sam Zaitz
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- (l to r): Co-chair Barry Curtiss-Lusher, honoree Gay Curtiss-Lusher and co-chair Ben Lusher
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- (l to r): Co-chair Barry Curtiss-Lusher, honoree Gay Curtiss-Lusher, Ben Lusher, co-chair Stephanie Zaitz, honoree Sam Zaitz and co-chair Jeremy Abelson
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- (l to r): Mark Sidell, Lisa Soicher, Steve Stark and Leslie Sidell
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- (l to r): Bill Goldberg, Karen Silverman and Ben Valore-Caplan
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- Meredith and Buzz Calkins
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- (l to r): Wendy Morrison, Vic Sulver and Erin Robbins
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- Josh and Heather Seiden
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- Co-chair Stephanie Zaitz, former CEO Yana Vishnitsky and Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award recipient Sam Zaitz
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- (l to r): Charles and Gretchen Lobitz, Howard Selinger, Darwin Reynold–JFS client whose story was portrayed on stage–and Denise Gillespie
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- Client Kavin Rock (right), whose story was portrayed on stage, with his family
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- (l to r): Perry and Susie Moss, Diana Zeff Anderson, Steve Stark and Jim Cohen
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- At the Eastern Europe Station
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- Guests select from a delectable buffet
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- (l to r): Ruth Malman, Alyse Opatowski and Elaine Gantz Berman
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- Event co-chairs Ben Lusher and Stephanie Zaitz
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- President and CEO Shepard Nevel
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- The crowd finishes dinner as the program begins.
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- Board Chair Charlie Gwirtsman and vice chair Leanna Harris
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- Sam Zaitz accepts the Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award, as board chair Charlie Gwirtsman and vice chair Leanna Harris look on.
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- Sam Zaitz, recipient of the Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award
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- Honoree Gay Curtiss-Lusher began her talk with several witty remarks.
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- Gay Curtiss-Lusher, recipient of the Kal and Joyce Zeff Humanitarian Award
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- Betty Hart introduces actor portrayals of actual client stories
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- An actor tells the story of client Darwin Reynolds.
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- Telling the client story of Holocaust survivor Sara Moses
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- A lively presentation of Kalin Rock’s true story.
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- Actors and their real-life counterparts unite on stage.
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- A guest responds to the “Text to Donate” message from onstage.
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- Alaina Green, associate director of marketing and communications (right), with Lil Shaw
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- The story of Sara Moses, Holocaust survivor and Senior Solutions client (left) was told on stage. She’s with Julie Hewson, JFS Senior Solutions staff member.
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- JFS client Kalin Rock (center), with his sister Savannah and JFS president and CEO Shepard Nevel
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- Chatting after the program
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- Mia (aka, “Big Red”) and Jeremy Abelson grab some after-soiree doughnuts.
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- (l to r): Vaughan Grice, and Krista and Steven Wiskow, “the Bentley team.” Guests who donated were eligible for a drawing to determine who would win a weekend with a Bentley.
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- Sherri Kornreich and Alan Brandt
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- (l to r): Diana Zeff Anderson, Bill Goldberg and Karen Silverman
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- (l to r): Bryan Jarman, and Jo and Richard Sanders
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- (l to r): April Bohnert, Nick Waterhouse and Julianna Perczuk
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- Rich Wedgle and Susan McKinney
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- (l to r): Jamie and Board Vice Chair Leanna Harris, and Rabbi Michael Sunshine
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- Mandy and Matthew Robertson
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- (l to r): Bradley Levin, Jeff Sandman and Lisa Soicher
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- Spinphony entertains as guests linger after the program.
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- Toni Getz and Irene Morita man the doughnuts-to-go table.
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- Gathering for a last chat at evening’s end (l to r): Marketing and Communications Director John Kayser, Anna Alejo, Family Safety Net staffers Heather Seiden and Dicia Kemp
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- Vicki Pepper (left) and Leslie Heins
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- Vaughan Grice, with the Bentley-for-a-weekend prize.
