Kvelling together

Abby Snay, Jewish Vocational Services executive director, invited 1,000-plus people to “kvell together.” And they did — at touching video tributes to the three employees of the year who were honored at “Strictly Business,” JVS’ 12th annual awards lunch. The event, which also celebrated the agency’s 30th anniversary, raised $325,000. JVS places four people in jobs each day, Snay said. JVS prides itself on starting and ending “Strictly Business” on time. And it did. It started promptly at noon — as stated on the invitation, and ended at 1:20, “10 minutes early,” proudly announced Natalie Berg, who co-chaired with Sheryl Reuben.

Don’t call him ‘sir’

American Technion Society supporters will meet with Winston Churchill when they visit London on their annual mission on May 30. That’s Sir Winston’s grandson, who happens to be the honorary vice president of the British Technion Society. Among the travelers: Hy and Myrna Mitchner (Hy co-chairs the mission); David Malnick, co-president of the Silicon Valley chapter; Sidney Konigsberg, president of the San Francisco chapter; Frank and Sharon Meyer; and Jack Kadesh, who heads the San Francisco office.

Get out the vote

Sen. Hillary Clinton told an intimate crowd of 200 women that their coming to Washington, D.C., was meaningless if they didn’t vote in November, reports Sandy Leib. She heard the senator at an early morning breakfast before the pro-choice march last week. Sandy and daughter Jennifer Leib were awed at the huge turnout and energy of the march. Spotted among the masses were locals Judith Krumholz with daughters Sarah and Martine Krumholz, Sue Wollack with daughter Carrie Wollack, Cissie Swig with assorted family members, plus Ann Bear and Laura Scher.

Going once

Vickie Eiges got to play auctioneer at Contra Costa JCC’s annual fund-raiser, “A Night Under the Vines.” She did it with style and grace, and with help from real-life auctioneer Denny McCormick, reports Jennifer Cohen, CCJCC board president. The 100 guests bid on a variety of items including memorabilia from Sandy Koufax, Tarkay serigraphs from Mila Fine Arts, private wine tours and a chef’s table offered by Cindy Gershon of Sunrise Bistro. Proceeds will benefit a wide range of programs at the CCJCC and the Millman Respite Center.

Short cuts

On May 16, the Jewish Community Agency, Sonoma County’s “JCC without walls,” will present Jon Batzdorff with the group’s first Tikkun Olam Award. The agency was founded eight years ago and Joan Eichler is chairing its fund-raiser. … Mark Shinar will accompany Oakland Hebrew Day School’s graduating eighth-graders on their class trip to Israel, beginning May 10.

Get a (volunteer) job

The Jewish Community Relations Council is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping change the anti-Israel tone of debate throughout the Bay Area. To learn more about this and other volunteer opportunities, contact JCF’s Volunteer Placement Project at (415) 777-4545.

Get in the news! Tell Faces what’s going on in your organization. Please send humorous, poignant or otherwise noteworthy anecdotes to [email protected].

Suzan Berns, a freelance writer, was associate director of communications for the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. She can be reached at [email protected].