The organization Emunah of America will recognize women who make a difference in an upcoming dinner.
The Emunah South Florida Circle of Life Benefit Dinner takes place on Feb. 3 at The Young Israel Congregation, 9580 Abbott Ave. in Surfside, and will recognize Deborah S. Chames of Hollywood, Gita Galbut of Miami Beach, Dana Tangir of Aventura and student leader Ella Herman of Bal Harbour. Rhoda Dermer, wife of Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, will be the guest speaker.
Emunah is an organization that began through the efforts and vision of a few determined women in Israel in 1935. It has grown to a network of more than 250 programs that are there for Israel’s people each day. Each of the women being recognized in the upcoming dinner has accomplished acts of “chesed,”-Hebrew term demonstrating an act of loving and kindness – paralleling the type that the organization accomplishes daily in Israel.
Fran Hirmes, the organization’s past national president and current chairman of the board, said about the honorees: “They’re all exceptional women who have given their time and their energy to our organization and to many other organizations and we want to recognize them for that and for their leadership role they play in each of their respected communities.”
Chames, a partner at the law firm of Kluger, Kaplan Silverman Katzen & Levine, P.L. who heads up the Family Law Department at the firm, has been actively involved with local Torah institutions for more three decades. Through the foundation named in memory of her late husband and mentor in giving back, Dr. Abe Chames, she spearheads a project which provides Passover and various other needs for more than 50 South Florida Jewish educators and their families.
Chames, who said she was surprised when she heard she was honored, explained her reason for accepting this honor.
“I hope that I can help raise money for the organization which does so much good in Israel and helps children and other people with social services that are needed,” Chames explained.
Galbut has helped envision, develop and represent Nof Zion, the project which transformed a barren Jerusalem hilltop into a thriving Jewish community, among her many chesed projects. She has been involved with the local Emunah chapter for a long time and Hirmes said the organization is grateful for her involvement.
Galbut said she is “tremendously honored” and calls it a “tremendous tribute” to be recognized as a woman who makes a difference.
Tangir, in addition to her leadership role attending to various community needs is a co-founder of the Community Closet at Skylake Synagogue, a boutique run by volunteers where gently used clothing is made available to those in need.
Tangir, who said she accepted this recognition on behalf of the Community Closet’s team of volunteers and co-founders, Karina Chocron and Hindy Rosenberg, noted: “I feel very humble to be honored at the Emunah dinner this year. After visiting in Israel one of the centers that Emunah have for children who have been removed from their home for abuse, you get to understand what it really means to make a difference.”
Herman is a high school senior who, as a student summer volunteer at Emunah’s Neve Michael Children’s Village in Pardes Chana, Israel, has already made a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
The event starts with a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. and then followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $180 for general admission and $125 for those 29 years old and younger. Call 305-538-1222 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information on the dinner. Visit Emunah.org for more information on the organization.
Deborah S. Chames will be one of the honorees during the Emunah South Florida Circle of Life Benefit Dinner.