Vivian G. Bass was elected chair of the board of trustees for Jewish Women International. Bass has been a member of the board since 2011 and was elected vice chair in 2013. After 30 years of leadership at the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH), she serves as the organization’s CEO emeritus.
“I didn’t know much about JWI when they named me a ‘Woman to Watch’ in 2007, but I quickly fell in love,” said Bass. “To feel like I am part of an organization that helps all women and girls thrive in safe homes and healthy relationships is a gift.”
WJW profiled Bass and her career in September 2015. In that article, Bass traced her passion for helping people with disabilities to fourth grade, when she “would always spend my recess and free time down the hall” helping those in a special education classroom. She continued her caring ways through summer camp, later making a vocation out of it.
Michael Simon Sinnott, son of Wendy Simon, became a bar mitzvah on Aug. 13 at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville. Michael is a 7th-grade student at The Auburn School. Joining him on the bima to celebrate were his cherished Nana and Papa, Jeanie and Jack Simon of Boca Raton, Fla., formerly of West Bloomfield, Mich., and other close family and friends. For his mitzvah project, Michael is collecting new and used household items to donate to the Montgomery County Humane Society Wagging Tails Thrifts and Gifts store to help support and care for homeless and neglected animals.
Sloane Bernstein, daughter of Brett and Jennifer Bernstein, became a bat mitzvah on Sept. 10. She is an eighth-grade student at the Bullis School. Sloane has a younger sister, Summer. The morning service was held at Temple Beth Ami, followed by an evening celebration at Lakewood Country Club.
The engagement of Suzanne Heather Kline, daughter of Kurt Kline of Darnestown and the late Gail Butkowitz, to Ilan Fulop, son of Tom Fulop of Rockville and Linda Fulop of Gaithersburg, is announced.
The bride-to-be graduated from Quince Orchard High School and Ohio University and is employed by Montgomery County Public Schools as a third grade teacher. The groom-to-be is a graduate of Indiana University and is the vice president of motorized shades at Rockville Interiors.
A November wedding is planned. The couple will reside in Rockville.
