JFS LiVE! 2022, Alexander Jewish Family Service’s annual fundraising gala, took place Thursday, Nov. 17, raising needed resources to provide programs and services that touch the lives of more than 20,000 people each year.

Chaired by Joy and Joe Kaplan, the evening drew more than 1,000 attendees to the jazz-themed evening. Students from the nonprofit Jazz Education Inc. played jazz to welcome guests and set the evening’s mood.

Delfeayo Marsalis and his band from New Orleans, with vocalist Tonya Boyd Cannon, headlined the entertainment. The ballroom was decorated to evoke the feeling of a classic jazz club, with décor and lights in purples, deep red and blue.

Each year, Alexander JFS selects outstanding leaders to recognize at JFS LiVE! The Joan Alexander Chesed Award was presented to Carolyn and Jay Kaplan; The Shirley and Allen Becker Leadership Award was presented to Jan Zuber Miller; and Steve Stephens, CEO of Amegy Bank, accepted the Alexander JFS Community Investment Award on behalf of the bank, himself and Walter Johnson, founder of Amegy.

The centerpiece of the evening consisted of five individuals whose stories illustrate how Alexander JFS changes lives.

Sandi Helfman Wolf, Alexander JFS president, wove stories together in a narrative that culminated in the raising of nearly $300,000 to open the new Alexander JFS Career and Employment Center.

Just as Alexander JFS has grown and developed Mental Health Services, Suicide and Substance Misuse Prevention, Disability Services and Disaster Recovery Services, the agency now is making a strategic investment in developing new resources for those seeking employment and career advancement.

Silent, big board and live auction took place, with Shayna Andrews, Jill Adels Klaff and Jan Zuber Miller serving as co-chairs of the auction.

Additionally, Carolyn and Jay Kaplan’s mothers, Jean Mintz and Celine Kaplan, served as honorary co-chairs.

This was Alexander JFS’s most successful fundraiser to date, with Laura and Bruce Shelby serving as finance committee co-chairs. More than 100 volunteers helped make the event a success.

Alexander JFS not only was blessed with generous individual and family donors, but many corporate sponsors added their names this year to supporting the agency through the gala.

Event underwriters included Laurie and Dr. Milton Boniuk, as Presenting underwriters; Judy and Marc Herzstein, Brooke and Dan Feather, Bari and David Fishel as Reception and Spirits underwriters; H-E-B as Digital Experience underwriter; Vicky and Michael Richker, Rhona and Bruce Caress as Entertainment underwriters; Helfman Dealerships as Playbill underwriters.

The evening began and ended with moving remarks from Alexander JFS CEO Carl E. Josehart, who thanked everyone for bringing light, hope and help to the community with their support.

“This was my first JFS LiVE! as CEO of Alexander JFS,” said Josehart. “It was a success in every way. We especially want to express our thanks to our donors, as well as our community and corporate partners, who make it possible for Alexander JFS to provide access to quality programs and services for our community.

“It is our hope that our guests for the gala felt our gratitude for their support and also left with a better understanding of the impact Alexander JFS is able to have through their support. We hope that those who were not able to join us in person will be able to view the videos we shared that evening.”

JFS LiVE! 2023 is scheduled for Nov. 16.

To learn how to get involved at Alexander JFS, contact to Rachel Davis, 713-986-7806 or rdavis@jfshouston.org.

Alexander JFS is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and a beneficiary of United Way of Greater Houston.

To view videos from the evening, click here.

To view all photos from the evening, click here or on the photo gallery below.