Changing tomorrows at Jewish Care’s Annual Appeal Dinner

Over 300 guests attended Jewish Care Victoria’s 2019 Annual Appeal Dinner at Leonda by the Yarra.

The audience enjoyed an evening of heartfelt personal stories and musical entertainment, with Jewish Care Life Governor Andrew Blode officiating as Master of Ceremonies.

Talented 17-year-old performer, Amira Susskind, performed a moving rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’ and was joined on stage for a special drumming performance of ‘We Will Rock You’ by an ensemble of Jewish Care staff, volunteers, and clients.

Jewish Care’s 2019 Annual Appeal aims to raise $3.5 million towards vital and underfunded community supports and programs. “For our community, it is surprising to think that we have thousands- not hundreds, but thousands- of people seeking care and support from Jewish Care each year,” said Jewish Care President Mike Debinski. “These numbers continue to grow, and behind each number is an individual or family turning to Jewish Care in their moment of crisis and uncertainty.”

 

Guest speaker Dr Dorothy Kovacs shared how Jewish Care’s support has helped to provide new opportunities to her son, Darren, who lives with an intellectual disability. In 1989, Jewish Care offered Darren, then 20 years old, a month of employment. Nearly 30 years later and Darren is still a hard-working and well-respected Administration Officer at Jewish Care.

Dr Kovacs asked guests to reflect on the theme of Jewish Care’s 2019 Annual Appeal, ‘The greatest thing you’ll do today is change somebody’s tomorrow’, saying: “When you drive home tonight, just take a brief moment to think about those acts of kindness and giving that you can do that may positively affect and change someone’s life. They might seem small and insignificant to you, but to the other person it could mean a world of difference.”

Jewish Care supporter and former participant in Jewish Care’s Yesod board foundations program, Rohan Appel, gave the final address of the night. His passionate address encouraged guests to consider the importance Jewish Care plays in building and maintaining a strong and healthy community.

“Our challenge tonight is to give the very best we can, because, by doing so, we will be building something so very special- the community we want; the community we expect.”

Jewish Care’s 2019 Annual Appeal Dinner was generously supported by Diamond Sponsor, Spotlight Foundation; Platinum Sponsor, Gary Peer; and Gold Sponsors, Guests Accounting, JB Were, James Richardson, Kaye & Burton, Lowe Lippman, Newmark, Qualitas, Seek, Teska Carson, and Wingate.