The Charlotte Jewish News - January 2004 - Page 18 Jeff Turk Honored at Jewish Family Services Celebration The board members and staff of Jewish Family Services gathered last month to celebrate another successful year as they paid trib ute to outgoing Chairman Jeff Turk, welcomed new board mem bers and recognized the leaders who are leaving the board. At the home of Karen Knoble (incoming Vice Chair), guests enjoyed a catered dinner and reflected on twelve months of dra matic growth for JFS. The organi zation served more than 2,000 individuals and families this year through counseling sessions, pro grams and outreach services. “We’ve never been busier or had such a full caseload, and we consider it a major accomplish- Outgouig JFS board chair. Jeff Turk. ment to have helped everyone who turns to us,” said Penny Wagner-Schuster, JFS Executive Director. “Our leadership makes it possible. Jeff set new standards of excellence during his two years as Chairman, and our current board Locally Owned and Operated WE COME WHEN YOU EXPECT US AND WE CLEAN — RELIABLY AND SECURELY. Uniformed, Bonded and Insured No Contracts. No Hidden Fees. No Long-Term Obligations • Every Cleaning is Inspected and Guaranteed • One-Time, Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly Service Call Today fora No Obligation Estimate 704-568-0028 Contact Un Online 24/7 •MAID BRIGADE- 1 Most major credit cards accepted w B has so much talent and vision 1 know we’ll continue to do great things.” Amy Mullen, incoming Chair, presented Turk with a unique gift from Red Sky Gallery: a mezuzah handcrafted by Aimee Golant, a San Francisco-based artist special izing in one-of-a-kind jewelry and Judaica. This acclaimed artist has a piece in the permanent collec tion of the Jewish Museum of New York, and one of her barbed- wire mezuzahs traveled to outer space with Israeli astronaut llan Ramon on the Columbia Space Shuttle. Turk said he was touched with this token of appreciation, and he and wife Karen will display it prominently in their growing col lection of mezuzahs. “Jeff has been a true leader,” Mullen told the guests. “I’ve learned a lot serving with him as Vice Chair. Fie carries on the tra dition of past chairs Alan Goldberg and Marilyn Tuckman, who made JFS a top priority and did everything possible for the good of the agency. I have very big shoes to fill.” With a laugh, Mullen added that Turk’s responsibilities often included talking on the phone to her young children. “He’d call during the day to discuss JFS issues, and my kids absolutely' have to calk to anyone who calls, so I’d put him on the spot,” she said. “lie was always so nice and so interested in what the kids had to say. I think that’s a perfect example of the way he deals with people. He makes time for every one, and everyone is important.” Turk expressed his mutual regard for Mullen, saying he’s confident that the JFS Chair’s symbolic Little Tikes gavel is r You’ll Have Warm Heat At r ^ Your House Tonight!® ■ “Use these coupons with my compliments any time you need service ” 704-357-0484 Safety Check Catch a small problem before it becomes a large one. Save on heating bills. Here’s What You Get; • Check Rame Rollout • Check For Gas Leaks • Check Cathon Monoxide • Check For Overheating • Check Thennostat • Check Fan Motor • Check Air filters • Check Safety Controls 704-357-0484 May not be combined with other offers. Coupon must be presented at hme of service, ^20 OFF Any Repair Air Conditioners • Heat Pumps • Furnaces We Service All Brands 704-357-0484 May not be combined with other offers. Coupon must be presented at time of service. Ellen Engelhard!. Carol Sandler, and Donna Lerner attended the party to say farewell to Jeff Turk and welcome to Amy Mullen as chair of the JFS board. being passed into the right hands. “If you know Amy, you know she brings energy, passion and com mitment to anything she does,” he commented. “She and Karen have already shared great ideas for the future of JFS and they’re ready to get rolling.” And what does he feel he’s accomplished as Chair in the last two years? “We’re helping more people than ever, and that makes my job very satisfying,” he said. “It was my mission to improve on a good thing, trying to find ways to make us that much better. We’ve succeeded in many ways. In others, it's a work in progress. I’ve had a lot of help from the board and staff, and I urge every one to continue to take ownership of their role on the board and to serve as a leader both in the agency and in the community.” Recognizing those who have made special contributions this year, Turk presented gifts of per sonalized stationary to four JFS board members: * George Cronson, for chairing the annual Friends Campaign for the second year in a row. Under. Cronson’s direction, the campaign has significantly increased its donor base and the amount of money raised for JFS operating expenses. * Donna Lerner, for serving as the JFS liaison to the Jewish Federation and performing dou ble-duty on two boards. * Marty Kelso (yours truly), for writing monthly articles for CJN that keep the community aware of JFS programs, services and events. * Irving Bienstock. for assisting with a variety of policy issues. To wrap up the evening, Turk thanked wife Karen and daughters ■Emily and Diana for their support as he devoted many long hours to his duties as Chairman. He also thanked outgoing board members Alan Kronovet, Audrey Madans, Mark Rosen, Randy Sperling and Lynda White for their dedication and service, and welcomed Nancy Bernstein, Ellen Engelhardt, David Epstein, Katherine Goldstein and Dale Polsky to the JFS board for 2004-05. Donations to Jewish Family Services in November HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO Jill and Ed Newman, 45th wed ding anniversary, from Ruth and Alan Goldberg. Sheila and Lee Kritzer, 55th wedding anniversary, from Sally Ann and Manny Rosenfield. BEST WISHES FOR A COM PLETE AND SPEEDY RECOVERY TO Alan Goldberg from Sally Ann and Manny Rosenfield, Debby and David Block, Sheila and Jerry Fisher, Fay and Gerald Sinkoe, Doris and Hilbert Fuerstman. Jan Raznick from Blanche and Henry Hirschmann. Dr. Jack Freedland from Audrey Madans. Vivian Mallins from Wilma Saly, Micki Schiffman. Blondell Arazie from Micki Schiffman. Harry Binder from Micki Schiffman. Joel Hirschman from Marilyn and Mike Tuckman. Walter Marx from Steve and Barbie Weiner. Janis Silverman from Marilyn and Mike Tuckman. Felicity Berzack from Ann and Bob Abel. Janet Jaffa from Doris and Hilbert Fuerstman. Linda Rothman from Mary and Simon Wojnowich. Marilyn Woronov from Roseline and Douglas Mann. Melissa Raphael from Ann and Bob Abel. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Lewis Levine from Lynn and Paul Edelstein. Sid Cojac from Micki Schiffman, Ruth and Julius Silverman, Renee Sutkee and Robert Solow. Todd Gorelick, 40th birthday, from Anne and Jonathan Brackis. Norm Levin from Anne and Jonathan Brackis. Allie Lerner from Amy and Donald Mullen. Erika Prager from Dianne and Ken Prager. Walter Klein from Doris and Hilbert Fuerstman. Joe Steiner from Ann and Bob Abel. MAZELTOVON The arrival of the new grand daughter of Merilee and Joseph Kodsi, from Fay and Gerald Sinkoe. The birth of Molly Ann, new granddaughter of Marcia and Paul Simon, from Fay and Gerald Sinkoe. The marriage of Doris and Hilbert Fuerstman, from Fay and (Continued on page 23)