VOL. 16 NO. 4
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APRIL 2026
Community Raises Funds for Mental Health, Family Services at No Excuse for Abuse Event Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County, one of the region’s leading providers of communitybased mental health and social services, raised more than $740,000 during its 22nd Annual No Excuse for Abuse Evening, held at the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The event welcomed nearly 500 community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters, reflecting the growing recognition of the critical role Alpert JFS plays in addressing mental health challenges, supporting vulnerable families, and strengthening the safety net for seniors and Holocaust survivors across Palm Beach County. Proceeds from the evening support Alpert JFS programs that provide mental health counseling, psychiatric services, residential support for adults with mental disabilities, emergency financial assistance, food security programs, and specialized services for older adults and Holocaust survivors. Each year, the organization serves more than 12,000 individuals and families across Palm Beach County.
“Demand for mental health and family support services continues to grow across our community,” said Dr. Reuben Romirowsky, interim chief executive officer of Alpert JFS. “Alpert JFS exists so that no one facing mental health challenges, crisis, or aging alone falls through the cracks. The extraordinary generosity shown at No Excuse for Abuse ensures that thousands of individuals and families will continue to receive the care, stability, and dignity they deserve.” The evening featured a headline performance by Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, known for her roles in Hamilton, Wicked, and In the Heights. Her performance brought energy and inspiration to the evening, reinforcing the event’s themes of resilience and hope. Community Raises Funds on page 6
Gary and Jennifer Lesser, Lesley Sheinberg, Erin Guy, Zelda Mason, Amy and Jeffrey Devore
NCJW Palm Beach Celebrates 50 Years of Service For 50 years, the volunteers of National Council of Jewish Women Palm Beach have lived by their mission “to strive for social justice by improving the lives of women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.” To this end, and with great determination, the women of NCJW Palm Beach identified the needs of our community members and created programs designed to meet these needs.
Through the Kids Community Closets program, they have provided over 15,000 school uniforms to students attending Title 1 public elementary schools in Palm Beach County. This program has encouraged greater attendance through pride in appearance and has leveled the playing field for those in need. Their Meals With a Cause project is multi-faceted: Volunteers in their Let’s Do Lunch program have contributed over 10,000 sandwiches, snacks, and fruit to food-insecure and unhoused families and individuals. In addition, over 2,000 dinners have been catered and served at The Lewis Center, a transitional homeless facility in West Palm Beach. Their Holiday Bags initiative provides traditional holiday food items to Jewish homebound and food-insecure families and individuals.
Members of the Dignity Project have provided over 2,000 cinch bags containing personal care items to unhoused men and women, as well as survivors of human trafficking throughout the county. Their Trafficked Teens educational program has been recognized by the Human Trafficking Coalition with its Outstanding Community Support award. This honor highlights an organization or individual who has turned advocacy into impact. It was presented for the work that NCJW Palm Beach has done in advancing anti-trafficking legislation, mobilizing volunteers for prevention and NCJW Palm Beach Celebrates on page 6
The Pet Cottage We’re Home.
A Sanctuary. A Promise. And the Deed to Prove It.
Judy Traub-Trafficking
By Wendy Derhak On February 11, 2026, I held a piece of paper in my hands that I have visualized, worked toward, and told the story of for years. It was the deed to 17049 Thunder Road, the property that has been home to The Pet Cottage’s sanctuary. And for the first time, it had our name on it. I paused, looked up, and said a resounding thank you to all the powers that be who came together to bring this miracle to life. Yes. We. Did. It. For a nonprofit that began with a promise made to a dying friend and three senior cats, owning the ground beneath our paws is nothing short of transformational. No lease to renew. No landlord
BJ to answer to. Just a Forever Home for every animal in our care, rooted in land that belongs to this mission. The Pet Cottage on page 4