Honoring Rabbi Darcie Crystal: 2025 Benefit
April 28 at 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
On April 28, 2025 in NYC, we will honor Rabbi Darcie Crystal’s unparalleled leadership and steadfast dedication to the work of Moving Traditions.
Since its founding 20 years ago, Moving Traditions has supported 40,000 Jewish youth to thrive through the pursuit of personal wellbeing (shleimut), caring relationships (hesed), and a Jewish and feminist vision of equity and justice (tzedek).
Rabbi Darcie Crystal
Rabbi Darcie Crystal embodies the essence of bold leadership, perfectly poised for just such a time as this.
As Board Chair from 2020-2023, Darcie steered Moving Traditions through a pivotal period with her intelligence, compassion and strength. Darcie is driven by the belief that Judaism can be both a relevant and powerful force for our youth. She ensured that Moving Traditions persisted as a much-needed support system for our teens throughout and beyond the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic while simultaneously shepherding the transition from founding CEO Deborah Meyer to Shuli Karkowsky in 2021.
Darcie’s connection to Moving Traditions is deeply personal. Early in her rabbinical career, she saw the power of Moving Traditions’ Rosh Hodesh program for teen girls at her congregation. Many years later, all three of her children have participated in Moving Traditions’ programs, experiencing firsthand the transformative power of the organization’s approach to Jewish education and youth engagement. Darcie appreciates how Moving Traditions creates safe and supportive spaces for teens to explore their Jewish identity, develop meaningful relationships, and cultivate the skills and values needed to become active and engaged citizens.
Currently, at Central Synagogue, Darcie provides guidance and support for those becoming Jewish, teaching Exploring Judaism and studying with students individually. Darcie also teaches various Adult Education classes for the Central Synagogue community on topics including ethics, Midrash and Jewish history. Prior, Darcie was a faculty member at HUC-JIR, where for over a decade she taught rabbinical students about leadership and social responsibility. As a rabbi, educator, and parent, Darcie believes that Judaism has the power to inspire and guide individuals in navigating the complexities of the modern world. She is passionate about ensuring that Jewish teens have access to deeply impactful experiences that connect them to their heritage, empowering them to make a positive difference in our world.
Benefit Committee
We deeply appreciate the generous support from the many individuals honoring Rabbi Darcie Crystal and Moving Traditions by joining the Benefit Committee.
EVENT CHAIRS
Jonathan Crystal • Elyse Everett • Rabbi Wendi Geffen
VISIONARY
Rabbi Darcie* & Jonathan Crystal • Sally Gottesman*
LEADER
Elyse* & Scott Everett
BENEFACTOR
Paula Gottesman • Shari & Jeff Aronson • James W. & Jean C. Crystal • Barbara & Dennis DuBois • Hope* & Adam Suttin • Tony & Nanar Yoseloff
BUILDER
Lisa* & Doug Schoenberg • Rabbi Lori Koffman* • Suzanne* & Richard Feld • Sheryl* & Chip Kaye • Susanna Lachs & Dean Adler • Offit Capital • Bethany* & Garett Shiner
CHANGEMAKER
Lilly Claar* • Jamie & Denise Crystal • Sandy & Jennifer Crystal • Bruce Ellman* & Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh • Judd & Meredith Grossman • Beth• & David Joseph • Julie & Jonathan Karen • Shuli Karkowsky* & Avi (Alan) Rabinowitz • Brian & Kristin Kaufmann • Sara* & Andrew Levine • Jill & Erik Maschler • Joshua Nash & Beth Goldberg • Abigail Pogrebin & David Shapiro • Mary & Nathan Relles • Sarah & Dan Rueven • Renée G. H. Sackey* • Eric* & Lauren Schlezinger • Shonni Silverberg & John Shapiro • Julie Sissman & Phil Richter • Jane & Mark Wilf
INNOVATOR
Central Synagogue • Rabbi Wendi Geffen & Scott Duby • Lisa Messinger • Andrea & Philip Schlakman • Adam & Pamela Sohn
SUPPORTER
Madelyn Bucksbaum Adamson* & Allen Adamson • Alissa & Alex Schmelkin • Rabbi Noah* & Tammy Arnow • Tami* & David Astorino • Rabbi Carole Balin* • David & Cindy Edelson • Sean Hecker & Mari Hinojosa • Kara Jesella & Marc Ellenbogen • Beth & Jonathan Kern • Jonathan Krasner* & Frank Tipton • Stephanie & Stephen Levey • City Council Member Julie Menin • Miraldina & Anthony Meyer • Emilie & Paul Salama-Caro • Mackenzie & Ian Sandler • Jasmine* & Rob Tarkoff • Robert* & Molly Zuker
FRIEND
Eve Biddle & Joshua Frankel • Marni & Neil Blitz • Michael & Amy DuBois • Tara & Teddy Frischling • Elizabeth & James Hale • Rabbi Dena Klein* & Jonathan Harris • Adam Magerman* • Deborah Meyer* • Laurie & David Rosenblatt • Rabbi Sara & Dan Sapadin • Aviva Tilles*
* Current or former Moving Traditions board member
List current as of March 18
To make your gift, please fill out the form below and choose one of the following options under payment information. For more information about the benefit, please contact Lisa Gersten at lgersten@movingtraditions.org.
- Credit Card
- Checks: Make checks payable to:
Moving Traditions (Attn: Lisa Gersten)
8380 Old York Road, Suite 4300, Elkins Park, PA 19027 - Donor-Advised Fund
Please use the EIN 34-2015014.
Benefit contributions are tax-deductible, less $120 for each ticket used.