The J Gala 2025
We invite you to join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and entertainment as we recognize Rachel and Jonathan Hoffer as they receive the William S. Levine Family Community Excellence Award on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 6:30pm at the historic Arizona Biltmore.
Your generosity makes our mission possible! Celebrate Rachel, Jonathan, and our community’s achievements by becoming a featured sponsor, purchasing tickets, or placing a tribute ad to support The J.
William S. Levine Family Community Excellence Award
Rachel and Jonathan Hoffer,
2025 Honorees
Rachel and Jonathan Hoffer have been involved in and supporting the greater Jewish community for decades and have a deep connection to the JCC.
Support The J Gala
Sponsorship, Tickets, and Tribute Ads
Become a featured sponsor for Valley of the Sun J’s Annual Gala. With many different levels of sponsorship, you can become a key contributor to The J into 2026 and beyond!
You can also support the event by purchasing a ticket or a tribute ad. We look forward to seeing you for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, entertainment, and recognition to those that have helped our mission.
Gala Entertainment
Host and Comedian
Elon Gold
Musical Guest
JB Project
A Thank You!
We would like to thank those who have helped sponsor the 2025 Valley of the Sun J’s Annual Gala.
Without your support, none of this would be possible.
Diamond Sponsors
The Myers Family & Kathy and Melvin Sternberg
Platinum Sponsors
The Hoffer Family
Donna and Joel Kramer & Caryll and Gerald Webner
The Shorr Family
Gold Sponsors
Julie Bennett & Brad Dimond Families
David Bruner & Eneas Kane – Circle Road Companies
Jonathan Harris
Lauren and Zev Hendeles
Michelle and Bryan Kort
Susan Myers
Jennifer and Steven Schwarz – ViaWest Group
LaNelle Robson Foundation
Debbie Berkowitz & Gary Weiss – Weiss Wealth Strategies of Raymond James
Silver Sponsors
The Hersh Family Legacy Foundation
Marlene and Lanny Lahr
Lori and Barry Markson
The Jason & Rana Morris Family Charitable Trust
Sara and Bob Silver
Barbara and Barry Zemel
Bronze Sponsors
Nichole & Mike Arko – Sonora Investment Management
Kris and Craig DeMarco
Lisa & Michael Flader – Flader & Young Wealth Management of Raymond James
Goodmans
Edward Newman Family Foundation
Danielle and Benjamin Gross
Sara and Evan Schneider
Van Tuyl Companies, Inc.
Laura Ziff
Copper Sponsors
The Gunsberger Family & USB Financial Services, Inc.
Orli and Geoffrey Kaplan
Cyndi and Jamie Rosenthal
Weiner Insurance
Jay Zweig
The J Gala Committee
Thank you for your dedication and hard work in bringing our vision to life.
Co-Chairs
Ben Myers & Sara Schneider
Committee
David Bruner
Andrew Cohn
Kris DeMarco
Kim Fish
Danielle Gross
Robyn Gutman
Zev Hendeles
Steve Hilton
Orli Kaplan
Bryan Kort
Michelle Kort
Joel Kramer
Barry Markson
Susan Myers
Isabelle Nadler-Teplitsky
Dan Shorr
Gary Weiss
Executive Staff + Board of Directors
Executive Staff
Jay J. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer
Christine Hutchinson, Chief Operations Officer
Steve Levy, Chief Marketing Officer
Andrea Quen, Chief Experience Officer
Jennifer Veres, Chief Financial Officer
Leah Zigmond, Chief Youth and Family Programming Officer
Board of Directors
Mallory Savan Lebovitz, Chair
Barry Markson, Chair
Julie Bennett, Treasurer
Joel Kramer, Secretary
Dan Bachus
Adam Brooks
Michael Feinberg
Keylee Helmich
Zev Hendeles
Jonathan Hoffer
Brad Klein
Michelle Kort
Mark Koslow
Jill Leshin
Joel Schaller
Erika Strempel
Gary Weiss
