JCC MetroWest “From Generation to Generation” L’Dor V’Dor Gala to be Held on May 6

Ruth & Marty Barber and Neeli & Michael Margolis will be the distinguished honorees at JCC MetroWest’s “From Generation to Generation” L’Dor V’Dor Gala on Tuesday, May 6, 6:30pm at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ.  An elaborate cocktail and dessert reception will be held in their honor.

JCC MetroWest will salute the Barbers and Margolises for touching so many lives through their leadership and dedication to the MetroWest Jewish community and committed service to JCC MetroWest.  The Barbers have been stalwarts of the community, holding leadership positions in community agencies as well as the JCC. Neeli and Michael Margolis, both JCC Board members, have already distinguished themselves as members of the next generation of JCC leaders.

L’Dor V’Dor, the passing of leadership from one generation to the next, will be celebrated in the context of the JCC’s role in every stage of life from early childhood through senior adulthood.  Each year, thousands participate in JCC early childhood programs, programs for senior adults and special needs individuals, summer camps, wellness programs, sports & recreation, community wide events, Jewish education, and theater.

Marty Barber serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the JCC and Vice President of the Jewish Community Housing Corporation Board. He has been President of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, President of Temple Beth Shalom, Vice President of Daughters of Israel, Treasurer of UJC MetroWest (now Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest), and Vice President of the American Jewish Congress. The secular world has also benefited from Marty’s talents, as he has served as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Higher Education, Treasurer of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Newark, and Treasurer of the Liberty Park Monument Committee. Ruth is on the Board of Women’s Philanthropy and is a member of the Israel Program Center Committee. She has served on the Board of Trustees of UJC, co-chaired the Lion of Judah Sapphire category, is a past board member of the Community Relations Committee and Jewish Education Association, and is a past Vice President of Business & Professional Women.  Marty and Ruth are the parents of three grown children and six grandchildren.

Michael Margolis has served on the JCC Board since 2012. He serves on the Advisory Board of Fairleigh Dickinson University's School of Pharmacy. For the past two years, Michael has served as a Manager for the Livingston Travel Soccer Program. Neeli has served on the JCC Board since 2010 and currently serves on the Executive Board of the Agency. She was the first organizer and Chairperson for JCC MetroWest's Annual Toast of the Town fundraiser and continues to serve on its committee. She is also an active volunteer at the Burnet Hill Elementary School Home and School Association. Neeli and Michael are members of Temple Beth Shalom as well as Chabad at Short Hills: Ahavat Torah and Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club. Their sons, Adam and Nate, completed the JCC MetroWest Early Education Center. Their daughter, Maya, is currently a student at the school. 

Sharon & Stephen Seiden of Livingston, along with Felice & Jonathan Flitt of West Orange, are the Gala Co-Chairs.  Audrey & Norbert Gaelen, formerly of Short Hills and now residing in West Orange, are Gala Honorary Chairs. For more information about attending this May 6 event (RSVP required), please contact Diana Ackerman, Special Projects Director at 973-530-3938 (dackerman@jccmetrowest.org) or visit www.jccmetrowest.org.