By Laney Gordon, Board Member of the Auxiliary of the Kutz Senior Living Campus, and Iris Vinokur, Co-President of the Auxiliary.
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“Terezin was a terrible place. It was a concentration camp and a ghetto, alternately called Theresienstadt, in what then was Czechoslovakia. Terezin was a kind of show camp, meant to display to the world the lie that Jews were doing fine.” —Joanne Palmer, The Jewish Standard, November 2025.
On May 6, 2026, The Auxiliary of the Kutz Senior Living Campus will welcome Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer as the featured speaker at its annual Donor Brunch. Dr. Wimpfheimer will share the remarkable story of an inspiring work of art, and its profound connection to the women of Terezin, who are memorialized not only through history books but through handwritten recipes.
In the midst of unimaginable deprivation, Jewish women imprisoned in Terezin wrote down recipes on scraps of paper—anything they could find. Some of those women survived. Many did not. Yet their recipes endured—passed hand to hand—preserving memories of family meals, traditions, and dignity. What became of those fragile pages is an extraordinary story of survival, remembrance, and creative expression.
Dr. Wimpfheimer, known to many as Shelly, is a respected leader in the field of social work, having served in prominent local and national roles throughout her decades-long career in both the public and private sectors. Since 2013, she has served as executive director of the Community Chest of Bergen County, New Jersey. She has also taught at the graduate level at Rutgers and Columbia Universities. Shelly and her husband, Justin, raised their family in Tenafly, New Jersey, and now reside in Fort Lee.
While her professional life alone would make for a compelling presentation, the focus of this talk is deeply personal. During a visit to the home of her friend, artist Imari Nacht, Shelly encountered a breathtaking piece of art inspired by the book In Memory’s Kitchen: A Legacy from the Women of Terezin. The collection of recipes that comprise the book made its way from Terezin to Israel and, eventually, to New York. A journey that feels cinematic in scope.
Moved by the power of the artwork, Shelly and Justin acquired the piece and later donated it to their synagogue, Temple Sinai in Tenafly. What followed was beyond anything they could have imagined. The artwork has sparked study groups, raised public awareness, and inspired gatherings dedicated to honoring the lives and resilience of the women of Terezin. As the story has gained attention, others have stepped forward with their own memories and connections, deepening the collective understanding of this powerful legacy.
The May 6 Donor Brunch promises to be both moving and meaningful—a testament to memory, creativity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Community members are invited to attend what is sure to be a powerful and unforgettable presentation.
A Presentation by Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer
Auxiliary of the Kutz Senior Living Campus Annual Donor Brunch
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
11:00 AM–1:30 PM
Harry’s Savoy Grill
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, DE 19810
RSVP requested by Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Proceeds from this event will help support the residents of Kutz Rehabilitation & Nursing and Lodge Lane Assisted Living and Memory Care.
For questions, contact:
Iris Vinokur, 302-530-4487, iris.vinokur@gmail.com or
Sandy McBride, 302-545-6257, Sandymc629@gmail.com.
To register, please visit www.kutzseniorliving.org/ways-to-give/auxiliary
