2025 Award Recipients
JFS Lifetime Philanthropy Award
Thelma & Richard Florin
The Florins have spent decades bringing their limitless energy, leadership skills, and resources to vital community projects. Through their unwavering philanthropic support, dedication, and commitment to JFS and Rachel Coalition, they’ve played an instrumental role in helping us build a healthier and stronger community. Thelma and Richie have been involved with JFS since the late 90’s, both as loyal donors and engaged volunteers. Thelma was a founding member and past chair of Rachel Coalition, the domestic violence division of JFS. Thelma and Richie endowed the Florin Education Series, a yearly educational event, which brings in renowned speakers to raise awareness about domestic violence. They also significantly contributed to JFS with the naming of the Florin Family Library, Family Support Center, and the Florin Family Waiting Room. Richie was instrumental in helping at the Run for Rachel and other Rachel Coalition events by donating personalized “swag bags” for all participants. Thelma and Richie have also served on many local Jewish organization boards and have supported many local programs, including at their synagogue, Temple Bnai Jeshurun.
JFS is proud to recognize Thelma and Richie Florin with the JFS Lifetime Philanthropy Award. They are so deserving of this special honor. We are thankful for their support.
JFS Community Partner Award
New Frontier
Sunrise ShopRite has been an invaluable corporate supporter of JFS and Rachel Coalition, the domestic violence division of JFS. Rachel Coalition has been the recipient of Sunrise ShopRite’s Annual Charles Matejka Golf Outing for the past 21 years! Sunrise ShopRite’s support has enabled JFS to provide services to countless domestic violence victims and their families.
As a locally-owned, family business, Sunrise ShopRite believes its “business is helping people to take care of themselves and their families” – both through the food and services they provide, and by engaging in meaningful ways with the communities they serve.
The Gladstein-Sblendorio family has been in the grocery business for 4 generations. Their company, Sunrise ShopRite, currently owns and operates supermarkets in Parsippany and West Caldwell, NJ. The company’s roots in the local NJ community extend as far back as 1940 when Nathan Gladstein opened his first small food store, Sunrise Market, in Caldwell, NJ. Irving Gladstein, Nathan son took over the business after his father’s passing in 1948. In 1951 Irving joined the Wakefern cooperative and the Sunrise Market locations officially became ShopRite Supermarkets. The current West Caldwell ShopRite store was opened in 1967. In 1980 Ned Gladstein, Irving’s son and 3rd generation in the business, opened the company’s first location in Parsippany. He later moved the Parsippany store to its current location in 2000. Today, Dara Sblendorio, Ned’s daughter and 4th generation in the business, is President of the organization.
JFS Community Impact Award
Terri Friedman
Stephen Weinstein began his career at Salomon Brothers and then went on to run Securitized Product Sales for Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. Stephen joined the JFS board in 2022. A member of the JFS Major Gifts Society, Stephen serves on the JFS Investment, Fundraising, and Occupancy Committees, and spearheads JFS corporate fundraising efforts. Stephen does so much to support the community. He is a Councilman for the Borough of North Caldwell, a Mountain Ridge Country Club Foundation member, and Storage and Distribution Coordinator at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges. Stephen is married to Wendy and has three daughters, Allie, Sydney, and Kate.
JFS Maxine Myers Volunteer Services Award
Jocelyn Thompson
Jocelyn Thompson has served as a volunteer Medicare Counselor through the JFS SHIP Program (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for over 7 years. Jocelyn is certified by the State of NJ to assist people with Medicare questions, providing information on Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap plans, Part D coverage, claims, and benefits. Jocelyn has also taken on more difficult cases to answer questions regarding Medicaid and low-income assistance programs. Jocelyn answers calls on the JFS SHIP Helpline 3 days a week. For many callers, Jocelyn is the first person they speak to that can resolve their problems after going around in circles with their insurance providers. During Medicare Open Enrollment, Jocelyn speaks with hundreds of beneficiaries, providing them all with the same extraordinary care.
