MARGE COHN (LEFT) AND MARA SHLACHTER

Opening Night co-chairs care about community

By Paul Haist

Two women, each with a long history of Jewish community service, have partnered to head up this year’s Opening Night celebration, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Annual Campaign kickoff event.

For Mara Shlachter and Marge Cohn community service is a way of life.

Shlachter almost used those very words to describe why she’s involved again.

"The way I was raised, tzedakah is not something we do; it’s just something that we are because we are breathing; it’s not an afterthought."

Cohn was of like mind.

"I believe that the synagogue is the heart and soul of our Jewishness, but federation is the umbrella that shelters us as one people," she said.

As co-chairs of Opening Night the two women are responsible for leading other volunteers in the many tasks required to make the big night a success.

Last year, the federation made a new departure in its annual campaign by retiring its long and successful annual Gala as the main campaign event in favor of a new format it called Opening Night, which was planned to bring together the Jewish community after the summer break, to celebrate Jewish life and remind everyone of the important work that faces the community.

Last year’s Opening Night featured renowned Israeli Time-Life photographer David Rubinger who attracted more than 340 people to the event, which is open to those whose annual family pledge to the federation campaign is at least $1,000.

This year’s event will feature a one-night-only performance by Broadway musical star Shoshana Bean.

"She’s an incredible talent," said Shlachter, who was sure that the Portland native whose Broadway credits include "Godspell," "Leader of the Pack," "Dreamgirls," "Hairspray," "Hair" and "Wicked" would attract many people to this year’s Opening Night.

Both Shlachter and Cohn stressed that the $1,000 family gift requirement shouldn’t keep people from coming to share the Opening Night celebration.

"We want to make it manageable for people," said Shlachter, who noted that Opening Night guests don’t have to show up with a $1,000 check in hand. The balance is not due until December 2008.

"It can be paid in monthly installments," said Cohn.

That works out to just over $83 a month for 12 months, said Shlachter, or even less if one pledges now and makes monthly installments beginning in October.

Cohn contrasted the minimum gift with the expenditures we all make that have far less impact. "This is food for the soul," she said.

Opening Night will take place the evening of Oct. 25 in the new ballroom at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Cohn felt it was important to host the gathering in what others have called Portland’s "Jewish living room."

"Now that it’s been renovated, it should be the center of our activities," she said. "It’s important that we have our Jewish ingatherings at the center. That’s what it’s for."

Shlachter agreed.

"We are beyond thrilled that we are having this event at the JCC," she said. "It’s beautiful. I don’t know if everyone has seen it since it was renovated, but the more we can do there the better. We should think of that as our center and have as many simchot there as possible."

Shlachter’s commitment to supporting Jewish causes extends at least as far back as her arrival in Portland 16 years ago.

"I started volunteering with the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center with Syliva Frankel," she said. She has been involved with the American Jewish Committee here and the very successful Anne Frank in the World exhibit in the mid-1990s.

For nine years she ran the JCC Macabee games here where she was closely involved with Jewish youth. She says it’s important to cultivate Jewish life among Jewish young people.

She feels strongly about encouraging young Jews to become involved in philanthropy and noted with pleasure that the greeters at this year’s Opening Night will be the local Jewish teenagers who comprise the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation, operated under the auspices of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and its director, John Moss.

"I want people to know we are raising a generation of people who are making philanthropy part of their lives," said Shlachter.

Cohn said she feels "it’s time for the younger generation to move in," in leading the Jewish community, but it’s not time for her or others like her to move out.

"It’s my responsibility to help those in need," she said.

In addition to an active history with federation including service on its executive board and chairing many federation events, Cohn also is a longtime volunteer with Portland’s Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families where she is a certified court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children. She also has volunteered in programs designed to help substance abusers.

"I have been blessed," she said, "to be on the giving end instead of the receiving end."

Tickets for Opening Night are priced at $90 if ordered by Oct. 11. After Oct. 11 the price is $100.

Make reservations online at www.jewishportland.org or by phone with Rachel Halupowski at 503-892-7413.