By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
photo/submitted
Westborough – On Saturday, April 28, Hadassah Boroughs Chapter will host their annual Wine and Craft Beer Tasting at Julio’s Liquors from 7-10 p.m. This year’s fundraising event will be honoring Mindy Sackrin Hall for her work for the Jewish Community of Central Massachusetts. Her dedication to the federation is evident in her outreach efforts as well as all of the programs she has helped implement.
“For Hadassah Greater Boroughs, Mindy has helped coordinate several events with our Chapter, the Worcester Chapter and the Chavarim Group,” explained Suzanne Robins, president of the Boroughs Chapter of Hadassah. “We are thrilled to be honoring Mindy at our chapter’s upcoming annual fundraiser.”
What started out as a twice-weekly job doing outreach for the federation has now evolved into something bigger than Hall could have ever imagined. She is now director of outreach and engagement and is constantly multi-tasking with the many hats that she wears for this position.
“One of my responsibilities is to welcome newcomers – people who were not connected into the greater Jewish community of Massachusetts. This included something called Shalom Newcomers,” Hall explained. “My purpose was also to expand the PJ Library Program … to bring young families to get free books monthly.”
The program has been quite successful and has expanded so much that it now has been brought to over 500 families.
Hall has also created a Young Adult Division (YAD) as well as a Chavarim group for those aged 40 and up.
The challenge, Hall said, was to figure out a way to market and publicize the outreach of the Jewish Federation, which was no easy task. There are 52 towns and cities with Jewish resident looking to connect but not necessarily knowing how to go about it.
Hall has utilized different marketing platforms, such as social media, to create awareness and went out into the communities to talk to people and other organizations. She would put up flyers and posters and find creative ways to spread the word.
“Last year I also brought in PJ Our Way which is for those between the ages of 9 and 11. This is for the kids that have graduated from the PJ Library. We have chapter books that they can select from on a monthly basis. It’s a great program that also incorporates a Junior Leadership Program with it,” said Hall.
Hall has brought in about 1,800 new people to the community and the federation family. She executes about 60 events each year and recently held a PJ Library event at the Shrewsbury Library in December for Chanukah.
“I love working for the Jewish Federation,” she said. “This organization helps so many people regardless of their religious beliefs. Fifty to 60 percent of the money that is raised goes right back into our communities, grants, camp scholarships, memberships and more. It’s their community. My job is to be the facilitator.”
The Hadassah Boroughs Chapter’s annual fundraiser, Red, White & Brew Wine and Craft Beer Tasting, is open to the public and proceeds will benefit Hadassah’s life-saving research and treatment that help people from all over the world.
For advance ticket purchase, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/hadassah-boroughs-red-white-brew-tasting-tickets-43657140683.
