Posted by JF&CS
We sat down with Kim Creem, one of our co-chairs for the 2019 JF&CS Benefit, to learn more about her and her connection to JF&CS.
Tell us about your involvement with JF&CS.
My family began our involvement as members of Temple Emanuel of Newton. When our children went to pre-school, we were always given a paper bag with a listing of what was needed that month at Family Table. Each month, the kids and I would fill the bag with the necessary items to bring into our shul for pickup by JF&CS. We then started to bring the kids to Family Table and enjoyed packing bags and making deliveries as a family.
A few years ago, I was asked to sit on the Center for Basic Needs Assistance Advisory Council. This has been very interesting and informative as Family Table was my original pathway into JF&CS.
Since then, I have joined the board of directors, the development committee, and the nominating and governance committee, and I am co-chairing the gala! Jumped directly into the deep-end immediately and loving it!
Tell us about your family.
We are a family of four plus our dog Charlie. My husband Gary and I have two children: Jacob, age 17, and Lily, age 15.
What is your favorite JF&CS memory?
Our first-time bringing Jacob and Lily to Family Table we delivered food to an apartment complex in Brookline. I remember the children delivering to one of the couples in the building and receiving a little bag of candy from them - as a token gift for all of the bags that they brought into their apartment. The couple wanted our family to come in and chat with them. It was such a meaningful moment for the kids to see the appreciation on this couple's face when they took the candy; it was their only way to show gratitude and thankfulness.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. It is a historical fiction book that takes place in North Korea/Japan and tells a story about different generations of one immigrant family. It a fascinating read about the difficulty of poverty at various levels, immigrant life, and the bonds of love and family.
What is your favorite travel destination?
My favorite travel destination has been Israel. My first visit was at the age of 12 (1981) with my parents and brother on a temple retreat. My second visit was with my husband and children on our own temple retreat (Temple Emanuel of Newton in 2008). My most recent visit was with CJP on an Acharai trip last year (2018). Each trip to Israel, I learn more, feel more at home, and am fascinated by the rich history and stories of our people.
What are you most looking forward to about this year's Benefit?
I am excited to co-chair the "year of change!" We have made a strong effort to create an event that will be very different from past years. A new venue, new format, new content and delivery, new seating style, and new advertising kiosks! I am very thankful that JF&CS has allowed us to think outside the box and be creative with a cutting-edge evening! I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization and to represent it at one of their biggest events of the year!
Join Kim and many others at this year's JF&CS Benefit on Wednesday, April 3 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Visit our Benefit page to purchase tickets and find out more information.
We sat down with Kim Creem, one of our co-chairs for the 2019 JF&CS Benefit, to learn more about her and her connection to JF&CS.
Tell us about your involvement with JF&CS.
My family began our involvement as members of Temple Emanuel of Newton. When our children went to pre-school, we were always given a paper bag with a listing of what was needed that month at Family Table. Each month, the kids and I would fill the bag with the necessary items to bring into our shul for pickup by JF&CS. We then started to bring the kids to Family Table and enjoyed packing bags and making deliveries as a family.
A few years ago, I was asked to sit on the Center for Basic Needs Assistance Advisory Council. This has been very interesting and informative as Family Table was my original pathway into JF&CS.
Since then, I have joined the board of directors, the development committee, and the nominating and governance committee, and I am co-chairing the gala! Jumped directly into the deep-end immediately and loving it!
Tell us about your family.
We are a family of four plus our dog Charlie. My husband Gary and I have two children: Jacob, age 17, and Lily, age 15.
What is your favorite JF&CS memory?
Our first-time bringing Jacob and Lily to Family Table we delivered food to an apartment complex in Brookline. I remember the children delivering to one of the couples in the building and receiving a little bag of candy from them - as a token gift for all of the bags that they brought into their apartment. The couple wanted our family to come in and chat with them. It was such a meaningful moment for the kids to see the appreciation on this couple's face when they took the candy; it was their only way to show gratitude and thankfulness.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. It is a historical fiction book that takes place in North Korea/Japan and tells a story about different generations of one immigrant family. It a fascinating read about the difficulty of poverty at various levels, immigrant life, and the bonds of love and family.
What is your favorite travel destination?
My favorite travel destination has been Israel. My first visit was at the age of 12 (1981) with my parents and brother on a temple retreat. My second visit was with my husband and children on our own temple retreat (Temple Emanuel of Newton in 2008). My most recent visit was with CJP on an Acharai trip last year (2018). Each trip to Israel, I learn more, feel more at home, and am fascinated by the rich history and stories of our people.
What are you most looking forward to about this year's Benefit?
I am excited to co-chair the "year of change!" We have made a strong effort to create an event that will be very different from past years. A new venue, new format, new content and delivery, new seating style, and new advertising kiosks! I am very thankful that JF&CS has allowed us to think outside the box and be creative with a cutting-edge evening! I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization and to represent it at one of their biggest events of the year!
Join Kim and many others at this year's JF&CS Benefit on Wednesday, April 3 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Visit our Benefit page to purchase tickets and find out more information.
