Shalom Task Force will gather the community on Sunday, December 7, at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst for its Annual Brunch, a morning dedicated to connection, reflection, and strengthening the support systems that so many individuals in crisis rely upon. This year’s theme, “A Stronger Tomorrow Starts With Us,” captures the profound moments that defined the past year for us. Every day, people turn to us at times of darkness and fear. They are unsure what comes next, uncertain of what is possible, and questioning whether hope is still within reach. At Shalom Task Force, we know that hope is not about unrealistic promises or vague assurances that everything will be “fine.” Instead, our work is rooted in realistic hope.
Through our Hotline and Legal Services, hope means helping a caller understand the options available to them, sometimes for the first time in years, and supporting them as they reclaim control over their own lives. Control and choice are often the very things that have been stripped away in abusive relationships. Restoring them is the foundation of hope survivors carry with them every day.
In our Education Department, hope means offering communities the tools to build relationships that are healthy, supportive, and safe. Hope means equipping the next generation to recognize red flags, communicate with respect, and support one another.
We are, at our core, in the business of fostering hope. Our honorees this year beautifully embody this vision of purposeful, realistic hope.
This year, Shalom Task Force is proud to honor Esther and Howard Kopel as Guests of Honor. Together, they have been steadfast partners of Shalom Task Force for many years, each contributing in ways that speak to their shared commitment to safety, dignity, and community strength. Howard, Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature, has used his public platform to champion community safety and raise awareness about domestic abuse, while Esther has given her time and skills to support survivors of domestic abuse and advance STF’s programs. Their leadership reflects the very heart of this year’s theme: that a stronger tomorrow is built through meaningful action, compassionate presence, and a belief that change is possible.
We are also privileged to recognize Judge Esther “Micky” Morgenstern with the Community Impact Award. Judge Morgenstern’s nearly four decades of public service have transformed the landscape of domestic violence intervention in New York. As one of the founders and longtime presiding judge of the Kings County Integrated Domestic Violence Court, she helped to pioneer the “one family, one judge” model, ensuring that criminal, family, and matrimonial matters involving intimate partner violence could be handled with coordination, sensitivity, and deep understanding. Her best practices now guide domestic violence responses in all 62 counties across the state. A former president of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association and recipient of numerous legal and leadership awards, Judge Morgenstern embodies what it means to build hope systemically—not by offering platitudes, but by reshaping the structures that protect survivors.
Finally, Shalom Task Force is thrilled to present the Young Leadership Award to Hili Zubli, Eve Gelberg, Molly Feldschreiber, and Sofia Asher, who served as the Purple Fellows for North Shore Hebrew Academy High School during the 2024–2025 school year. Their leadership, teamwork, and creativity resulted in an extraordinary Go Purple Day campaign that raised significant funds and brought meaningful educational programming to their peers. Their impact was so strong that, for the first time, all four students were invited to join the STF Young Leadership Board, where they continue to serve as passionate ambassadors for healthy relationships and positive change. Their dedication reminds us that hope is not only something we offer; it is something the next generation is already learning to carry forward.
As we come together for this year’s brunch, we do so with the shared understanding that a stronger tomorrow truly starts with us. We look forward to gathering with our friends, partners, and supporters on December 7 as we honor those who embody this mission and continue our work to ensure safety, respect, and healing for all who turn to Shalom Task Force.
Shalom Task Force’s Annual Brunch will be held on December 7 at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst. Walk-ins welcome! To learn more or register, please visit shalomtaskforce.org/brunch.
Shalom Task Force has been offering support and education to the Jewish community for the last 32 years. If you or your loved one has questions or concerns about relationships, or are currently in an unhealthy or abusive relationship—we are here for you. Please call, text, or WhatsApp the confidential Shalom Task Force Hotline at 888-883-2323 or chat with a live advocate at www.shalomtaskforce.org.