The National Council of Jewish Women abandoned the tradition of black-tie galas with its 2012 fundraiser that was a light-hearted romp through the Lucky Strike bowler's paradise in Houston Pavilions. More than 250 turned out to honor the Berry family and to launch the NextGen Leadership Award, given in honor of the late Robin Berry.
You might remember that Joshua and Robin Berry were killed in a car crash in July 2011 in West Texas, an accident which left their two sons paralyzed from the waist down and their young daughter injured.
With Esther Freedman as chair of the annual fundraiser for NCJW projects, the evening was upbeat with its Let the Good Times Roll theme. Guests competed on the bowling lanes and at gaming tables while raising $120,000 for the numerous charities supported by the organization.
The Robin Perlo (Berry) NextGen Leadership Award was presented to Daniel Fein and Bari Fishel by the event chair and by mistress of ceremonies KHOU Channel 11’s Courtney Zubowski.
The three Berry children attended as did Robin's mother and sister, Sue Perlo and Aviva Perlo and the children's guardians Simone and Matt Berry.
Helping NCJW raise funds were Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Doug Freedman, Stephanie and Jason Kohll, Ede and Dr. Bruce Weiner, Rima Shpolyansky and Ryan Soroka, Tracey and Yoni Gerber, Dr. Eric Haas, Lisa and Gilad Zadok and Judy and Marc Herzstein.
