About Our Honorees
Midor L’dor Award
The Williams Family
Marilyn and David (z”l) Williams
It all started when David (of blessed memory) and Marilyn joined Temple Emanuel because they wanted their son, Douglas, to become ready for his Bar Mitzvah. There they met Rabbi Zeldin and were so impressed by him that when he left to start his own congregation, they followed. At that time, they met with the other families who were also interested in joining together and forming a new congregation under his leadership.
Felice Williams
Stephen Wise Temple has been an integral part of Felice’s life since 1981 when Doug and she were married. It was as though Felice had found her Jewish home, where she felt comfortable and embraced. Back then, as well as now, she found the Temple innovative, forward-thinking, community-building, and diverse in its programming to its different populations of members.
Doug Williams
Doug joined SSWT when he was ten years old at its inception, in 1964, consequentially because his parents were founders with Rabbi Zeldin. His father, David (z”l) was on the first board of directors in 1964. Doug was schooled to be a vocal active Jew. He was then, and he is now.
Lynn and Mark (z”l) Williams
Lynn and Mark Williams have been a part of the Stephen Wise community for over 55 years. Mark was both bar mitzvah’d and confirmed at Stephen Wise. He made many lifelong friends during that time who continue to be a part of his family’s life.
He lived next door to Rabbi Zeldin, allowing them to develop a special relationship. The Rabbi was an inspiration as well as a basketball partner!
Susan Williams
Susan has been a member of Stephen Wise for her entire life. For her, it feels like ‘home’. When she was a little girl, she went to Saturday School, Hebrew School during the week, and then was Confirmed at age 15. Although she briefly paused her Jewish education for a bit, she never stopped participating at the Temple. During college, Susan joined a B’nai Mitzvah class with some friends and learned from Cantor Lam.
Emerging Leaders Award
Celine and Jonathan Hakakha
Celine and Jonathan Hakakha
Celine and Jonathan Hakakha joined the Wise family seven years ago, but their connection to Wise dates back to the late 1970s when Jonathan’s parents Janine and Jahangir Hakakha became Temple members. Jonathan’s childhood and Jewish identity were shaped at Wise School as he attended the school from the Parenting Center through middle school. Celine and Jonathan enrolled their first child, James, in Wise’s early childhood program.
Co-Chairs
Penny and Mark Berns
Tori and Mark Birnbaum
Cheryl and Brad Cohen
Honorary Co-Chairs
Metuka Benjamin
Dr. Michael Zeldin and Terry Gock
Karen and Joel Zeldin
Gala Tickets: $350 each
A ticket will entitle you to a reserved seat at a table. Please contact Jason Stanley at [email protected] for seating requests.
WISE GALA 2024
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Visionary Sponsor – $100,000
- VIP parking
- Premier acknowledgement on screen during program
- Two premier tables for 12 guests each
- Visionary full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Pillar Sponsor – $50,000
- VIP parking
- Premier acknowledgement on screen during program
- Two premier tables for 10 guests each
- Pillar full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Trustee Sponsor – $25,000
- Acknowledgement on screen during program
- Premier table for 12 guests
- Trustee full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Benefactor Sponsor – $10,000
- Acknowledgement on screen during program
- Premier table for 10 guests
- Benefactor full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Wise Learners Sponsor – $5,000
- Half table with six guests
- Wise Learners full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Supporter Sponsor – $2,500
- Four tickets
- Supporter full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Chai Sponsor – $1,800
- Two tickets
- Chai full-page ad in Digital Tribute Journal
Digital Tribute Journal
- Full Page $1200
- Half Page $600
- Quarter Page $360
- Name Listing $180
Stephen Wise Temple is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Fair Market Value $155/ticket.
Wise Gala 2024 FAQs
- Will there be enough seating? A ticket to the event will entitle you to a reserved seat at a table.
- Will the program run long? No, the presentation itself will be brief. The evening will be filled with great food, music, and friends!
- Will the meat for the dinner be kosher? Yes, it will be.