SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Writer activist Devorah Halberstam will share her poignant story of the terrorist attack that took her 16-year-old son, Ari, at the 23rd annual Evening of Roses fundraiser at Seton Hall University on Sunday, May 1. Her life’s transformation, motivated by the memory of her son, led her to support victims the world over and co-found the Jewish Children’s Museum.
“This year’s Evening of Roses pays tribute to very special women who have made stellar contributions to education in Jewish-Christian Studies, the mission of the Sister Rose Thering Fund to rid the world of religious prejudice and build a more just and inclusive society,” professor David Bossman, SRTF executive director, said in a release.
The event honors the memory of Women of Valor Sister Rose Thering, and beloved trustees Ellin Cohen of Maplewood and Mary Vazquez of West Caldwell, who both died in 2015. There will be a special recognition of retiring SRTF administrator Marilyn L. Zirl, a West Orange native and current resident of Livingston, who worked closely with Sister Rose since her arrival at the university in 2000. A musical performance of Psalm 133 by Israeli composer Moshe Knoll, will feature soprano Allison Charney, violinist Ani Bukujian, pianist Craig Ketter and narrator Jordan Charney.
“We honor the memory of Sister Rose on the 10th anniversary of her passing and these special women as we continue to fulfill the legacy of her valor. We are proud of how the community comes together to provide complete tuition support for our teacher and scholars and are gratified that each year hundreds of public, private and religious school students learn how to approach interreligious understanding because of these devoted women and men,” board Chairwoman Deborah Lerner Duane said in the release.
Duane explained that the event will also celebrate the generosity of Luna Kaufman, founding trustee and chairperson emerita, announcing the inauguration of the Luna Kaufman Endowed Scholarship.
The program begins at 1:30 p.m. in Jubilee Hall Auditorium on the Seton Hall University South Orange campus, 400 South Orange Ave. For tickets and information, contact the Sister Rose Thering Fund office at 973-761-9006 or marilyn.zirl@shu.edu. Tickets can be purchased at the event.
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