NEW HAVEN — Rabbi Benjamin and Dorene Scolnic of Hamden, and Barry and Hyla Vine of Woodbridge will be honored by Jewish Family Service of New Haven (JFS) at the agency’s 75th anniversary event and fundraiser on Saturday evening, March 26, at Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden.

Rabbi Scolnic, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Sholom, and Dorene, a long-time social worker, were chosen for their unfailing support of JFS’ work from the food pantry to support groups.

Barry and Hyla Vine

“The Vines were selected [for this honor] for their widespread philanthropy that has touched the lives of so many people in the community,” said Jonathan Garfinkle, JFS executive director.

Barry Vine spearheaded the fundraising campaign that expanded the JFS Food Pantry, and “allowed it to become the nutritional health center it is today,” noted Garfinkle. In addition, he said, “Hyla Vine has been an active JFS board member as well as a devoted public school leader and volunteer.”

In announcing the selection of Rabbi Benjamin Scholnic, Temple Beth Sholom’s long-time spiritual leader, and his wife, Dorene, as honorees, Garfinkle described the couple as being “cut from the cloth of those who work for social justice.”

“Rabbi Scolnic is an incredible champion of what we do,” said Garfinkle, enumerating some of the rabbi’s efforts to help JFS in its work: “Every month, Temple Beth Sholom raises money and shops for our food pantry and he is one of our trusted advisors for our Jewish Wellness and Healing Center advisory board; and at the synagogue’s traditional second night community seder, he welcomes our entire group of adults with developmental disabilities and even provides transportation. It is beautiful community inclusion.”

The March 26 event will benefit the JFS Emergency Assistance Fund to support families struggling with unemployment, food insecurity, and domestic violence, as well as those facing eviction, foreclosure, and unforeseen medical expenses.

For more information, contact Barbara O’Donnell at bodonnell@jfsnh.org or 203-389-5599 x100.

CAP: Rabbi Benjamin and Dorene Scolnic