JFS Celebrates 150 Years at *LOL* Executive Luncheon With Amy Schumer

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/ .