Chabad of Western Monmouth County's Jewish Women's Day Program

From Chabad of Western Monmouth County:

“The Power of the Individual: What One Woman Can Do” is the theme for Chabad of Western Monmouth County’s 25th annual  Jewish Women’s Day program, which will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St.

The event will include a brunch and Chinese auction featuring themed gift baskets.

Joanne Caras, author of the Holocaust Survivor Cookbook, will be the keynote speaker. After visiting the Carmei Ha’ir Soup Kitchen in Jerusalem in 2005, Caras was determined to raise money to support the organization that serves over 500 meals every day to poor and hungry Israelis. For two years, she and her family collected recipes and stories from Holocaust survivors all over the world and compiled them in an unforgettable book.

During Women’s Day, Caras will explain how the cookbook project began, tell memorable stories from the book, and share wonderful mitzvot (blessings) that the cookbook has created. Signed copies of the cookbook, which keeps stories of Holocaust survivors alive while preserving great Jewish recipes for generations to come, will be available for purchase. Orders can be made in advance by calling the Chabad office.

Barbara Silvers, Manalapan; and Randi Goldberg, Morganville, will be honored with the Aishes Chayil (Woman of Valor) Award during the event that will take place prior to the Festival  of Purim, which will begin after sundown on March 7. The women will be recognized as modern day Queen Esthers, in recognition of the heroine of the holiday, who saved the Jews of ancient Persia.  

Following retirement from her nursing career in 2010, Silvers has found a new purpose in life as a Chabad volunteer. Born and raised in Newark, she graduated from Beth Israel School of Nursing in her hometown as a Registered Nurse, obtained her B.S. in Nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and did post-graduate work at NYU in Adult Nursing. She achieved a second master's degree as a Nurse Practitioner at UMDNJ. She is a certified Clinical Specialist in Gerontology and Neurology.

Through Chabad, she has volunteered with Bikkur Cholim (hospital visitation), and has encouraged local businesses to donate goods and services for Women’s Day raffles and door prizes.   I

Randi Goldberg was introduced to Chabad through the Ari Kraut Friendship Circle, and her efforts on behalf of that organization have benefited the community as well as her own family. Raised in Livingston, she has a B.S. degree in Business from Rider College. She worked for Bamberger’s/Macy’s as a Buyer/Aministrator, and for the Jones Apparel Group. 

Goldberg, who lives in Morganville with her family, has been active in Friendship Circle since Joshua was a preschooler, and is now involved in a wide range of programs as well as the annual Walk for Friends. She has made countless phone calls and her efforts to reach out to other parents of children with special needs have resulted in new friendships and more youngsters enjoying Friendship Circle activities.

Tickets for the brunch cost $36 with a prepaid reservation by Feb. 17.  Admission at the door will be $40.  Contributions can be made in the following categories:   Donor ($54), Sponsor ($72), Patron ($100), and Golden Patron ($126).  A complete list of all contributions will be included in the program.  For reservations and cookbook orders call 732-972-3687.