• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Aviva Jewish Housing Foundation hosts sweet evening

Keep the Dream Alive was held Nov. 6 at Michael's On East.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 10:21 p.m. November 5, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

A delicious evening full of sweet treats brought supporters of the Aviva Jewish Housing Foundation together for a night of celebration. 

Keep the Dream Alive was held Nov. 6 at Michael's On East. Guests enjoyed a dessert bar while mingling during the social hour. Then, CEO Jay Solomon welcomed guests to the event. 

Then Rabbi Michael Shefrin from Temple Emanu-El, the master of ceremonies, took over. He told the story of how Aviva took him and his family in when they didn't have a place to go during Hurricane Irma. 

The evening concluded with dancing to live music performed by Glass Onion.

Co-Chairwomen Sheila Birnbaum and Susan Benson-Steenberger
Co-Chairwomen Sheila Birnbaum and Susan Benson-Steenberger
Peter Kretzmer and his father Ernie Kretzmer.
Peter Kretzmer and his father Ernie Kretzmer.
CEO Jay Solomon and Lori Solomon
CEO Jay Solomon and Lori Solomon
The tables were decorated with many bright colors.
The tables were decorated with many bright colors.
Melissa Werbow, Rabbi Michael and Mimi Weisel and Deborah Breslof
Melissa Werbow, Rabbi Michael and Mimi Weisel and Deborah Breslof
Al Ernst, Jill Levine , Randy Mallitz and Norman Cohen
Al Ernst, Jill Levine , Randy Mallitz and Norman Cohen
Many different desserts were available on the dessert bar.
Many different desserts were available on the dessert bar.
Red velvet cupcakes were a dessert option.
Red velvet cupcakes were a dessert option.
Lorene Hagan, Esther Bodfield and Patricia McMahon
Lorene Hagan, Esther Bodfield and Patricia McMahon
Stacey Hanan and Marsha Eisenberg
Stacey Hanan and Marsha Eisenberg
Rob ane and Ben Hanan
Rob ane and Ben Hanan
An ice cream bar was filled with many toppings.
An ice cream bar was filled with many toppings.
Fran Braveman and Jeremy Lisitza
Fran Braveman and Jeremy Lisitza
CEO Jay Solomon welcomes guests.
CEO Jay Solomon welcomes guests.
Guests stand in a moment of silence for the recent Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
Guests stand in a moment of silence for the recent Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
Rabbi Michael Shefrin talks about his time at Aviva.
Rabbi Michael Shefrin talks about his time at Aviva.
The Glass Onion played after the program.
The Glass Onion played after the program.
Lori and Jay Solomon hit the dance floor.
Lori and Jay Solomon hit the dance floor.
Each guest received a T-shirt when they arrived.
Each guest received a T-shirt when they arrived.

 

Latest News

Officer Nick Dominis and Coti worked together since 2014.
  • February 16, 2026
Sarasota will honor memory of longtime police dog
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Party On in their new Payne Park space
Chris and Angie Wellman
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now