This year we are honoring Matt Feldman for leading Beth Emet’s working group on reparations and Alison Finkel who was instrumental in leading efforts to sponsor the arrival of a refugee family from Afghanistan. Read more below.
Matt Feldman: The Beth Emet Reparations Working Group has developed communications, educational materials, raised donations, and coordinated with other faith-based institutions in Evanston, the North Shore and nationally in support of reparations as a way of contributing to repair the harm done to our Black brethren. Matt Feldman coordinates the Working Group and supports local reparations in a number of other ways, including supporting Robin Rue Simmons in her work advancing local reparations. He worked as a banker, consultant, and entrepreneur before retiring in 2020. He lives in Evanston with his wife and has two grown children.
Alison Finkel: Last January, members of the Beth Emet Social Action group partnered with JCFS/HIAS to sponsor the arrival of a refugee family from Afghanistan. More than 100 Beth Emet families supported the furnishing and setting up of an apartment in Skokie and a group of about 12 volunteers is intimately engaged with family activities like medical appointments, school registration, visa paperwork, and much more. Alison is the lead coordinator of this group. Alison works in development at Northwestern University and is also the president of the board of Foundation 65. She lives in Evanston with her husband, two kids, a dog, and a cat.
Proceeds from the Vision Keepers Dinner support Interfaith Action’s programs at the Hospitality Center for the Homeless, local soup kitchens, Producemobile, winter overnight shelter, and winter warming centers.
RSVP by Monday, September 12.
DoubleTree Hotel 9599 Skokie Blvd Skokie, IL 60077 United States + Google Map
Dayenu Circle
Soup Kitchen
Evening Tea with U.S. Representative and Beth Emet Member Jan Schakowsky and Mayor Daniel Biss
