Community Involvement
Village of Wilmette Zoning Board of Appeals
Abbey serves as one of seven community members on this Village board charged with reviewing requests for variations in the Village's zoning code. After a request for zoning change is submitted, Abbey and other board members go out to see the site and evaluate the requested zoning variation. Then, twice per month, the Board holds open sessions to hear from the parties involved in zoning variation requests.
Abbey is known for asking tough questions and balancing the interests of all parties to do what's best for the community. The Board's proceedings can be seen on local cable access television.
Congregation Beth Emet Soup Kitchen
When Beth Emet's Soup Kitchen opened just over five years ago, Abbey quickly became an active volunteer. Now, Abbey serves as a Kitchen Site Supervisor. In this volunteer role, Abbey coordinates volunteer efforts to prepare the menu, purchase foodstuffs, cook and serve up to 120 people who come for a free, hot meal at the synagogue.
Beth Emet's Soup Kitchen is truly a special and unique way to do social justice. The kitchen serves food on white table cloths with flowers donning each table. Live music accompanies each meal, helping to provide a dignified experience for recipients. The program, just celebrating its fifth anniversary, continues to be a success and meets a vital need for fellow community members.
Congregation Beth Emet Sisters
Abbey saw a need at Beth Emet for a social networking group for women. With the strong support of the clergy, she reached out to the female members of the congregation and organized a series of successful social networking events. Beth Emet's Sisters' success prompted the creation of the Beth Emet Brothers.
Board of Directors Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
As a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Abbey has been involved from the planning phases, through construction and inaguration. She was invited to join the Board while a member of the Holocaust Remembrance Committee, the young leadership committee whose mission is to educate about the Holocaust, outreach to the community and build awareness for the new Museum. Currently, Abbey serves as the Co-Chair of the Museum's Exhibition Committee.
Connections for the Homeless
Connections for the Homeless in Evanston provides homelessness prevention services, housing, employment and supportive services to move individuals and families out of the shadow of homelessness. As a board member, Abbey is past and present chair of the organization's annual dinner, helping to raise the organization's largest event fundraising total to date.
Interfaith Action of Evanston
As a delegate to Interfaith Action of Evanston, Abbey participates in regular meetings of local faith communities to further understanding and share in the experience of social justice work. Abbey volunteers to run the organization's annual Vision Keeper Dinner, which honors one member from each faith community who has provided outstanding leadership. Abbey assists in putting the program together, recruiting supporters and fundraising.
Jewish Labor Committee
Abbey serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of the Jewish Labor Committee, an organization that helps the Jewish community and the trade union movement work together on important issues of shared interest and concern.
Abbey is particularly active in the chapter's Holocaust Education program with the Chicago Teachers' Union and other unioned teachers. Mandated to teach the Holocaust in Illinois, Abbey helps to ensure teachers have a quality foundation for teaching this subject and that teachers are equipped to bring lessons to the classroom.
In addition to these leadership roles, Abbey frequently devotes time to volunteering for many organizations like:
- Wilmette Chamber of Commerce
- Evanston Chamber of Commerce
- West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
- The Exclusive Professional Women's Networking Group (EPWNG)
