Mitzvah Day returns September 11, 2022, for a day of service in the Atlanta community. This day of "good deeds" would not be possible without the hard work from the Mitzvah Day Committee of Young Professionals and the new Family Volunteer Leadership Team of JF&CS. These volunteers are passionate about connecting fellow community members to opportunities to give back.
The Young Professionals Mitzvah Day Co-Chairs
Caption: Dana Heyman (L) and Sam Paulen (R) at a JF&CS Young Professionals Happy Hour
Sam Paulen is an Atlanta native and currently works for her family business, New Image Dental Laboratory. Over the years, Sam has been involved with JF&CS on Havinagala and Mitzvah Day committees and is a graduate of the 2022 Tritt Leadership Program. Sam has stepped into a leadership role as Mitzvah Day co-chair this year. She believes volunteering is a great way for young professionals to engage with organizations in the community and meet others equally motivated to give back. Sam is “excited to see everyone kick back at the end of the service projects at Steady Hand for a well-deserved toast!”
Dana Heyman is originally from Highland Park, Illinois, and now resides in Midtown. Professionally, she is a Marketing Program Manager at Home Depot. Dana believes that “getting involved and giving back to your community is one of the most important things we can do as human beings.” She began her involvement at JF&CS this year as a 2022 Tritt Leadership Program graduate and is using the leadership experience she gained from the program to serve asMitzvah Day co-chair. She is looking forward to “seeing all of [the] committee’s hard work come to fruition” as young professionals seize the opportunity to give back. Dana added that since Mitzvah Day takes place on September 11th, “we included specific opportunities to honor veterans” at Marietta National Cemetery.
Family Volunteer Leadership Team Mitzvah Day Co-Chairs
Caption: Adi Feen and her family
Adi Feen lives in Toco Hills with her husband and five children. She is a teacher at Intown Jewish Preschool. She is passionate about teaching her children and students that they can make a difference. Adi first got involved with JF&CS in 2020 when she facilitated a project with her students to send holiday cards to JF&CS clients. She is excited to get more involved on the Family Volunteer Leadership Team and encourages families to participate in Mitzvah Day. She adds, “Families can experience the wonderful work that JF&CS is doing. It’s a place where small hands can make a big difference.
Laura Holtzclaw lives in Sandy Springs with her husband and three children. Laura is active in her community, including her children’s local public schools, Temple Sinai, and the PJ Library Family Fundraiser Committee. She also worked with Temple Sinai as they partnered with JF&CS’s AURA Program to support Ukrainian evacuees. She shared that at Mitzvah Day, “families can expect an afternoon filled with meeting new people while giving back to their community.”
Caption: Ilana Shure and her family
Ilana Shure lives in Sandy Springs with her husband and three children. She is a social worker and advises graduate students. She is “passionate about taking an active role in the Greater Atlanta Jewish community and exposing [her] children to the positive impact we can make together.” Ilana is active in her community and is a member of Temple Sinai. She is excited to develop family projects for Mitzvah Day and share the values of volunteerism with her children.
The Mitzvah Day Committee
Sam Paulen | Dana Heyman | Abigail Feehley | Sarah Perlis | Max Fishman | Kara Barron | Marissa Ellin| Jamie Asman | Lisa Rosenfield | Melissa Reynolds | Nathan Sauer
The Family Volunteer Leadership Team
Adi Feen | Laura Holtzclaw | Tiffany Landes | Bobby Nooromid | Amy Rosen | Jessica Sacks | Marissa Share | Ilana Shure | Sami Tanenbaum | Tova Tritt
The Mitzvah Day Projects
Young Professional opportunities range from park clean-ups and food packaging, to gardening and making meals for the Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program homes. Afterwards, they will gather for refreshments at Steady Hand Brewing Co. and connect with other young professionals. Family projects will support the JF&CS food pantry and Holocaust Survivor Services. There will also be a remote opportunity to raise funds for the AURA (Atlanta Ukrainian Evacuee Relief Assistance) program by hosting lemonade stands in their community. The family volunteers will enjoy a sweet treat from Kona Ice afterwards at the JF&CS Dunwoody campus.
Spots are limited, Sign-Up Today! Our Mitzvah Day committees are looking forward to seeing you at Mitzvah Day!
JF&CS is proud to work with these community partners on Mitzvah Day: PJ Library, Repair the World, Moishe House, NextGen, Temple Sinai, and Honeymoon Israel.