- Press Releases
Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties will be putting its love of community into action as it hosts the 15th Annual Emigre Community Gala on Sat., Jan. 23, at San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis Hotel on Union Square.
The Emigre Gala is a festive celebration, an important fundraiser, and one of the largest annual events for the Jewish community in Northern California. JFCS Executive Director, Dr. Anita Friedman states, “The Emigre Gala gives our community an opportunity to come together to celebrate our accomplishments, while making sure no one who needs help is left behind.”
This year’s event celebrates the role of the Jewish community to not only support those who need help locally in Northern California, but on a global scale. Whether it is helping seniors lead happier and healthier lives, providing emergency services, helping children with special needs, or caring for families who have experienced trauma.
Acclaimed international commentator and scholar, Dr. Daniel Gordis will be speaking at the event; one of the most important thought leaders on the present state of Israel and the Jewish people, Gordis is the author of numerous books, is a regular contributor to the New York Times and a columnist for both the Jerusalem Post and Bloomberg View. He is Senior Vice President and the Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College in Jerusalem and was Founding Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Jerusalem.
The Gala also celebrates a young JFCS community member who emigrated from Russia to the Bay Area with her family when she was a child. As an active JFCS volunteer and YouthFirst participant she found inspiration and joy connecting to her Jewish roots and a new pride in her heritage, which was absent in communist Russia. Her inspiring choice to become a lone soldier in the Israel Defenses Forces shows her new-found strength and confidence in her Jewish Identity.
The Emigre Community Gala has long been known for electrifying entertainment and delicious European-style food and beverages with a Russian flair—this year is no exception. Attendees will give toasts with plenty of vodka and enjoy a rich selection of Zakuski (Russian hot and cold appetizers) followed by the full gala dinner.
Event entertainment includes the genre-busting Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox; the musical collective has quickly become YouTube video darlings and racked up over 315 million views for its innovative reinterpretations of contemporary hit songs. The popular New York dance band, Timokha and his Angels, will kick off the evening with a mix of Russian classics and American favorites.
Other highlights include a raffle, whose grand prize is a deluxe ski weekend at Squaw Creek in Tahoe. To purchase raffle tickets, which are $25 each or five for $100, call 415-449-1219 or email [email protected].
Individual tickets to the gala are $325. Tickets for guests 35 years old or younger are $195. To receive more information or to reserve a ticket, call 415-449-1256 or email [email protected]. Information and online ticket sales can be found at: www.jfcs.org/emigregala.