An Evening with Schoke JFS

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Join us for An Evening with Schoke JFS

Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Whispering Oaks, 32 Weed Ave, Norwalk, CT

Honoring

Wheel It Forward
46th Annual Mitzvah Award Recipient

Founded in 2020 in Stamford and inspired by Israel's Yad Sarah, Wheel It Forward operates as a community lending library for durable medical equipment. From wheelchairs and walkers to hospital beds and shower safety equipment, these essential items are provided at no cost to borrowers throughout Fairfield County.

The model is simple, sustainable, and impactful: equipment is often used for only a few months before being stored or discarded, yet sanitized and maintained, it can help countless others in need. Today, Wheel it Forward serves over 7,000 families annually, managing more than 18,000 items and keeping over 100,000 pounds of equipment out of landfills. With three additional branches in Bridgeport, Stratford, Newtown, and North Haven, the organization continues to expand its reach, bringing essential resources to communities across the county.

Honoring

Ben Frimmer
Community Service Award Recipient

Ben Frimmer is a TONY-nominated producer and director, veteran theatre educator, and distinguished EMS leader based in Weston, Connecticut. With more than 30 years of experience across the arts and public safety, he brings a powerful blend of creativity, leadership, and service to every role he undertakes.

Ben has served with Westport EMS since 1985 and is a longtime Crew Chief, as well as Deputy Chief of the Weston Volunteer EMS. A respected regional leader, he is also a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) and EMS Instructor, training police, fire, and EMS professionals throughout CT Region 1.

Deeply engaged in Jewish communal life, Ben has served on the board of Temple Israel and currently participates on its Security Committee. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the congregation's COVID Response Point Person, helping ensure community safety and continuity.

In the arts, Ben is a TONY-nominated producer of John Proctor Is the Villain and currently serves on the producing team for The Hunger Games On Stage in London. A passionate theatre educator for more than three decades, he has taught and directed middle and high school students nationwide.

Ben serves on the board of the Westport Country Playhouse and is Co-Chair of its Development Committee, producing charitable Broadway and comedy concerts including Voices for Volunteers for Schoke JFS. He holds master's degrees in Teaching and Educational Theatre from NYU.

Whether on stage, in the classroom, on the ambulance, or supporting his community's institutions, Ben remains deeply committed to service, storytelling, and strengthening the communities he loves.