On Sunday, April 26, The Selfhelp Home community gathered at Venue SIX10 at Spertus Institute for the 2026 Annual Gala, A Story Celebrated: Our Legacy, Our Home.
From the moment guests arrived, the afternoon reflected the heart of Selfhelp: a deep respect for history, a joyful celebration of community and a shared excitement for the future we are building together.
This year’s gala was especially meaningful because it centered around the story of Selfhelp itself. Founded in 1938 as a volunteer mutual aid society for Holocaust refugees and survivors, The Selfhelp Home began as a place where European Jews could rebuild their lives with dignity.
Nearly nine decades later, that legacy continues through a warm, culturally rich senior living community rooted in tradition, compassion and care.
Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future
A central focus of the afternoon was the upcoming transformation of Selfhelp’s first-floor common areas. Guests were invited to look ahead at renderings of the renovated spaces, including updates to the reception and elevator lobby, main lobby, Bensinger Room and other first-floor areas that will help create a more welcoming environment for residents, families and visitors.
At the heart of this renovation will be a permanent historical installation located in the expanded first-floor corridor between the back door and reception area. This exhibit will bring Selfhelp’s remarkable story to life through photographs, documents, artifacts, a pictorial timeline and a digital donor display honoring those who have shaped Selfhelp across generations.
One of the most memorable moments of the afternoon came during the exhibit presentation, when Mandy DeLeon, Selfhelp’s Archivist, shared stories from Selfhelp’s history and highlighted a tablecloth made by some of the original Selfhelp families.
It was a powerful, tangible reminder that Selfhelp’s history is not only found in dates and documents, but in the handmade, heartfelt pieces of community that have been preserved with care.
Speakers throughout the program, including Lisa Fingerhut Carlton, Phyllis Toback, Ron Weil, Maddy Weil DelPrince and Rick Richker, helped connect that history to the future.
Together, they offered guests a meaningful look at why this project matters and how the renovated spaces will ensure that every person who walks through Selfhelp’s doors understands the legacy they are now part of.
Introducing the Inaugural 18 Over 80 Honorees
The gala also marked the introduction of Selfhelp’s inaugural 18 Over 80 honorees, a new recognition celebrating extraordinary residents, friends, leaders and community members whose lives and contributions reflect the heart of Selfhelp.
This year’s honorees:
Rennie Shapiro, z”l; Donald Davidson; Fela Dogadko; George Huppert; Esther Katz; Marie Leaner; Sally Nusinson; Charlotte Schwartz; Phyllis Toback; Reynold Weil; Stanley Pollock; Hedy Ciocci; Ralph Juss; Stephen Nechtow; Fern Shaffer; Craig Tuber; Phil Friedmann; and Donna Mayer.
The presentation gave the room a chance to recognize not only individual achievement, but the kind of lives that have helped shape Selfhelp’s culture: lives of resilience, leadership, service, creativity, generosity and deep connection.
As each honoree was acknowledged, the room filled with pride and appreciation. For longtime members of the Selfhelp community, it was a chance to celebrate familiar faces. For newer friends and guests, it was a meaningful introduction to the people whose stories continue to define Selfhelp’s spirit.
A Celebration Filled With Music, Theatre and Memory
It wouldn’t be a Selfhelp event without entertainment.
The afternoon was accompanied by music from M’Chaiya. The contemporary Klezmer quartet joined us after a special request from our residents. Their performance brought warmth, energy and a familiar cultural sound to the room, setting the tone for an event rooted in tradition.
Guests were also treated to a bespoke theatrical performance of The First Lady of Television by James Sherman, featuring Cindy Gold.
The performance, inspired by Gertrude Berg and adapted for the occasion, was a fitting tribute to Jewish storytelling, humor, resilience and cultural memory.
Together, the music and theatre helped make the gala feel like more than a formal program. They transformed it into an experience that reflected Selfhelp’s values: honoring where we come from, celebrating the people around us and finding joy in shared moments.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
The Selfhelp Home extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, sponsored, volunteered, donated and helped bring A Story Celebrated: Our Legacy, Our Home to life.
Your support makes it possible for us to preserve our history, celebrate the people who shaped it and create spaces that will serve residents and families for generations to come.
As we look ahead to this next chapter, we invite you to help bring the first-floor renovation and historical installation to life. Your gift supports a meaningful transformation of our home and helps ensure that Selfhelp’s legacy remains visible, vibrant and deeply felt for decades to come.