Jewish Family Service kicks off season with Portnyansky concert, Saks Fifth Ave. event

Jeff Hocker
·3 min read
JFS Auxiliary will present internationally acclaimed singer Cantor Svetlana Portnyansky at Temple Sinai in Palm Desert Nov. 16, 2022.
JFS Auxiliary will present internationally acclaimed singer Cantor Svetlana Portnyansky at Temple Sinai in Palm Desert Nov. 16, 2022.

Jewish Family Service of the Desert (JFS) recently announced the unique and intriguing events planned for its 2022-23 season.

JFS Auxiliary will present internationally acclaimed singer Cantor Svetlana Portnyansky at Temple Sinai in Palm Desert on Nov. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. A graduate of the Gnesin Musical State Academy in Moscow, Portnyansky’s sensational voice and personal charm have endeared her to audiences around the world.

Doors open at 4 p.m. with a wine reception and a silent auction; there is also a casual VIP dinner with Portnyansky after the show. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $125 for the VIP package.

Portnyansky's performances have included international song festivals in Moscow, New York, Montreal and Italy. She performed with the Noreen Green Jewish Symphony Orchestra, the La Mirada Symphony Orchestra and at the gala concerts "Israel 2000" and "Israel 2002" at Carnegie Hall and Tokyo Opera City in Japan.

She has also sung the American National Anthem at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas during a boxing competition. For videos and more information about Portnyansky, visit svetlanaportnyansky.com.

Join JFS for its 20th annual Patron Party at Saks Fifth Avenue at the Gardens of El Paseo on Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Patrons will be surrounded by holiday decorations and immersed in beautiful fashion and accessories with exclusive access to storewide shopping, with a percentage of sales going to JFS. Food and beverages will be provided by Eight4Nine Catering & Events.

Patrons allow JFS to offer lifesaving programs and services to the most vulnerable residents, families and individuals of the Coachella Valley. The patron party is a not-to-miss event designed to thank patrons for their generous support.

New this year, “How Sweet It Is, the Music of Motown” will be a distinctive event and dining experience at PS Underground where two friends of JFS, Bea Keats and Jerry Fogelson, will be honored with the JFS Humanitarian Award. The event will take place March 1, 2023, and again on March 2, both from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

"How Sweet It Is" will take attendees through Motown hits from the '60s and '70s. Guests will be on their feet dancing while enjoying a hosted bar and a multi-course meal inspired by the soulful sounds emulating the Detroit music scene. Individual tickets will go on sale next year.

To become a JFS patron, call Cheryl Scarlett, director of major gifts and fundraising at (760) 325-4088 ext. 107.

About Jewish Family Service of the Desert

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, JFS is a non-sectarian agency founded on the Jewish principle of “Healing the World” (Tikkun Olam), serving and embracing the entire community. JFS currently offers support through mental health counseling, augmented case management that includes emergency financial assistance for necessities such as overdue rent and utilities, well-check phone calls and socialization programming for isolated seniors and special programming for cherished, local Holocaust survivors.

In 2021, JFS offered nearly 16,000 services to nearly 3,000 Coachella Valley residents. To support, donate or volunteer for JFS, visit jfsdesert.org or call (760) 325-4088. To attend all events as a VIP, become a benefactor patron.

Jeff Hocker is the publicist and marketing specialist for JFS Desert.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jewish Family Service kicks off season with unique, engaging events