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.

Support the Gala     About the Award

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.

Read More

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.

Support the Gala

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
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
Jason Barclay Morris – Withey Morris Baugh, PLC
Sara and Bob Silver

Bronze Sponsors
Kris and Craig DeMarco
Michael & Lisa 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
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, Board Chairman
Barry Markson, Immediate Past Chairman
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

A Look Back

The J Gala 2024

Arizona Essence: An Evening Celebrating Our Community

View Here