News & Events, Social Action

Family Promise Gala to Honor Congregation Shomrei Emunah

Shomrei is receiving very special recognition on the night of Oct. 8, at the annual gala of Family Promise, a longtime provider of services to housing-insecure families with young children in Essex County. For more than 30 years, this nonprofit has sheltered and supported young families who couldn’t find space in the county shelter system.

Shomrei was there from the beginning, the first synagogue in Essex County to host homeless families in what was then known as the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Shirley Grill was one of its first board members, Dale Russakoff is its president, and in the years in between, generations of Shomrei families volunteered to cook for, entertain and provide support to families who stayed in our building for two weeks a year.

The hosting program ended with Covid, but many Shomrei members continue to donate generously so that Family Promise can guide struggling families from shelter to self-sufficiency.

Family Promise will honor Shomrei at its annual gala for its long and ongoing support. Rabbi Julie has been asked to give the keynote address.

The Family Promise Gala draws 200 or more people from across Essex County, and we would love to have as many members as possible be part of this special honor. Link for tickets below.  Alternatively, you can contribute in any amount to the purchase of tables by emailing Dale via the Shomrei Office, .  A $2500 contribution buys a table for ten.

We hope to make seats available to anyone who wants to attend.

Harvesting Hope
An Autumn Evening of Hope & Community
Thursday, October 8, 7:00 – 10:00pm
The Albion Summit
570 Springfiield Ave. Summit, NJ 07901
Tickets $250 per person
more info and tickets

 

  • Dale Russakoff

    Dale Russakoff is coordinator of the Mensch Squad and co-coordinator with Shirley Grill of our work to house homeless families through the Family Promise program. She and her husband, Matt Purdy, an editor of the New York Times, have been Shomrei members for more than twenty years. Dale was a reporter for The Washington Post for 28 years and is now a freelance writer. Dale and Matt have two grown sons, Sam and Adam.

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