(l to r) Nancy Oberst, Susan Olshansky and Hilary Shaefitz

NORWALK – Hilary Shaefitz of Weston, Nancy Oberst of Norwalk, and Susan Olshansky Singer of New Canaan will be honored by Congregation Beth El as “Women of Valor” at a gala benefit to be held  on Sunday evening, April 28 at the Norwalk synagogue.
“It’s an honor to recognize Hilary, Susan and Nancy and pay tribute to their many hours of service to our congregation,” said Rabbi Ron Fish, the shul’s spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El.
Since moving to Weston with her husband Don in 1985, Hilary Shaefitz  has been active at Beth El, serving on the executive committee for more than seven terms. Shaefitz is also co-chair of the gift shop and a founding member of The Chai Society. Currently vice president of administration/office, she has also served as the congregation’s treasurer and has chaired numerous committees, including several galas, goods and service auctions, dinners, search committees, and more.
Shaefitz is a CPA for a Norwalk insurance agency. She and her husband are the parents of two sons.
A past president of Beth El, Susan Olshansky earned a Master’s degree in Jewish communal service and contemporary Jewish studies from Brandeis University in 1978. She has worked in Jewish Federations in three cities – in MetroWest New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Chicago, Ill. — over the course of her career as a Jewish communal professional. In her last role as a Jewish communal professional, she served as assistant director of the Jewish United Fund (JUF) Campaign of Metropolitan Chicago, overseeing JUF’s involvement in the raising of funds for Operation Exodus, which ultimately raised $1 billion from the American Jewish community to rescue and resettle more than one million Soviet Jews in Israel and North America.
Since joining Beth El in 2002, Singer has served as the congregation’s financial secretary, as a member of its Executive Committee, and as president (2007-2009). She and her husband, Gary, are also sponsors of the annual Artist/Scholar in Residence Weekend in memory of Gary’s late father, Paul Singer.
Currently, Singer is the founder and owner of The Closet Curator, an image consultant/personal styling service. In addition, she is a professional stylist with Style for Hire, the new company of Stacy London, host of TLC’s “What Not To Wear”.
Singer and her husband are the parents of two daughters.
Residents of Norwalk for 45 years, Nancy Oberst and her husband Gary have lived in Norwalk for 45 years. Nancy has been an active member of Beth El for over 40 years.  Among her many leadership roles at Beth El, Oberst has served as fund raising vice president, chair of the Cultural and Continuing Education Committee, co-founder of the Beth El Chai Society, and co-chair of the Beth El Gift and Simcha Shop.
Professionally, Oberst serves as office manager of her husband’s law firm.  Oberst, and her daughter-in-law Kathie Oberst own Eagle Stitching, a custom embroidery company based in Norwalk.
Oberst has also served on the boards of organizations throughout Norwalk, including: past president of the Norwalk Chapter of B’nai Brith Women, former board member of the Norwalk Jewish Community Council, past president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Norwalk, and past interim executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Norwalk.
Oberst and her husband are the parents of a son and daughter, who live locally with their spouses and four children and are also members of Beth El.
The April 28 gala will dinner, dancing and cocktails, with entertainment by recording artist Cookie Thomas and his Trio.
For information visit www.congbethel.org or call (203) 838-2710.