With a simple “Did I miss anything?” Amy Schumer’s 2022 awards show comment was the laughter-inducing, tension-easing quote that went viral. What great timing, coincidence or not, for Jewish Family Service to bring Miss Amy to Denver just eight days after she co-hosted that memorable event. The 2022 year-long, extra-special JFS 150th anniversary celebration’s highlight? Its annual Executive Luncheon: 150 Laughs Over Lunch with Amy Schumer. It lived up to its name.
Granddaughter and grandmother Caley Weinstein (left) and Jackie Frazin
On Monday, April 4, the event began with a VIP reception attended by major sponsors and supporters getting a chance to chat and catch up before the luncheon began. At the Colorado Convention Center’s Mile High Ballroom, guests enjoyed a plated lunch and a handful of pre-Amy speakers (in order): Rabbi Rachel Kobrin; President & CEO Linda Foster; event co-chairs Jordan and David Feiner, and Niah and Aaron Hyatt; Denver Mayor Michael Hancock; Community Leadership Award recipient Norm Brownstein on behalf of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP; Gov. Jared Polis; and concluded with Max and Elaine Appel‘s announcement that their event-donation match of $250,000 had increased up to $500,000.
Amy Schumer quietly took the stage, sitting down in an armchair during the Appels’ announcement. When it ended, she immediately walked up to a second microphone onstage and deadpanned, “I don’t buy it.” Start your engines, here we go. Joined by friend and moderator, comedian Jaye McBride, the two began a Q&A session that ran the gamut, with tidbits such as: Schumer was in her trailer when the slap heard ’round the world happened, watching the uncensored version on a monitor. She counts Chris Rock among her short list of favorite comedians and New Orleans as one of her favorite places…with a required, diplomatic mention of Denver, of course.
Just one of the 150 Laughs Over Lunch.
The chat also covered Schumer’s IVF experience, being called “Amy Jew-mer” in school, anticipating missing her baby son while touring and even pronoun usage with transgender McBride. Audience reactions included laughter, raised eyebrows, groans, sympathy and ultimately applause. The off-the-cuff conversation had guests feeling like they at least had a glimpse of someone who is funny, a bit irreverent and definitely sardonic, but overall a caring, talented woman.
Jewish Family Service writes: “JFS is a nonprofit human services organization that serves anyone in need – regardless of their circumstances or religious beliefs. We believe in a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community.
“Founded 150 years ago, we currently offer more than 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support and disability services. JFS takes a holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family and provides the appropriate services all from one organization. We continuously evaluate the evolving challenges of our community and adapt or develop programs that respond to the resulting needs.”
For more information: https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/ .
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- JFS 150th Anniversary Chair and event sponsor Jane E. Rosenbaum, with son Ari Rosenbaum
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- Event co-chair and sponsor Niah Hyatt (left) with son Beckham and sister Landei Sharp
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- Event co-chairs and sponsors Jordan and David Feiner
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- Landei Sharp and Julian Lind
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- Peter Wycoff and Lori Dresner
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- Steve and Faye Demby, with board chair, sponsor and event co-chair Aaron Hyatt (right)
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- (l to r): Catherine and Peter Ecklund, sponsors David and Anna Asarch, Liza Coughlin
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- (l to r): Rob Grise, Beth Warning, Diane Holbert, Brian Fallin, Russel Schmucker, Brian Aratani
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- JFS President & CEO Linda Foster (center), with co-chairs Jordan and David Feiner (left) and board chair Aaron and Niah Hyatt
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- Meghan Zeidman (left) and Barbara Zeidman
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- Tables are set in the Mile High Ballroom.
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- Mile HIgh Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center
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- (l to r): Helene Meyer, Denise Jendrusch, Marissa Rotilie, Kevin Pitts, Alice Klein
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- (l to r): Laura and Loren Knaster, Andy Baum, Don and Marilyn Weinhouse
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- (l to r): Kate Riazo, Landei Sharp, Anne Chapman, Beckham Hyatt, Karola Landrey, event co-chair Niah Hyatt, Anna Hallen
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- (l to r): Jill Lee, Dana Parks, Sharon Marks
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- (l to r): Jesse Ogas, and Susie and Perry Moss
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- Sue Coughlin (left) and Linda Appel Lipsius
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- Regina Jackson (left) and Janet Kritzer
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- Arlene Hirschfeld (left) and Katy Loveberry
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- Committee member Bret Weinstein and Michele Ciardullo
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- (l to r): Sponsor and award recipient Norm Brownstein, with Rocky and Suzi Miller
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- Jacqueline Brody (left) and Liza Coughlin
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- Denise and Scott Hasday
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- (l to r): Sponsors Scott Stillman, board member Mindy Levy and Steve Peckar
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- Granddaughter and grandmother Caley Weinstein (left) and Jackie Frazin
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- Adam and Katie Agron
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- Adam and Katie Agron (left), with Rich Benenson
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- (l to r): Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld, with event sponsors Norm and Sunny Brownstein, and Charlie Gwirtsman
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- (l to r): Security rep Titus Abera, Jean and Gary Marshall, Samantha Deebs
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- (l to r, front): Michael Steinberg, Sarah Kopp, Mallory Sussman. Back: Bonnie Liff (left) and Kim Fishman
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- Hamotzi/DaVar Torah by Rabbi Rachel Kobrin, JFS board member
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- JFS 150th Anniversary Chair Jane E. Rosenbaum
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- JFS President & CEO Linda Foster
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- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
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- (l to r): Linda Moore, Shar Dobson, Michelle McCollum, Jeanne Vogel
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- A heartfelt hug at the VIP reception
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- Yes, I really am at the JFS Executive Luncheon with Amy Schumer.
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- Event co-chairs Niah and Board Chair Aaron Hyatt
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- Event co-chairs David and Jordan Feiner
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- Denver Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer
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- Norm Brownstein accepts the inaugural Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Community Leadership Award on behalf of the firm.
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- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis
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- Just one of the 150 Laughs Over Lunch.
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- Guests finish their meal before Amy Schumer’s entrance.
