Last week, Tzedek DC held our sixth annual Eat Well, Do Justice celebration. We are enormously grateful to everyone who supported this event, which helped us raise a record $431,000—and still counting!—in support of our mission over the course of a fun, substantive, and tasty soup-themed evening. A huge thank you to all who made the evening, the first back in person in three years, a special one!
Tzedek DC supporters together enjoying Eat Well, Do Justice 2022: Soup for the Soul!
(Left to right) Chefs Donna Henry, Doron Azrad, Rachell Bitton, Taryn Pellicone, and Valerie Zweig in front of the beautiful view of the U.S. Capitol Building from the event
The program kicked off with a hilarous compilation of soup-related clips from popular culture, followed by welcoming remarks from Tzedek DC’s Board Chair Rachel Kronowitz. Founding President & Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman also spoke and introduced a beautiful video from Tzedek DC client Norris Harvey, who also shared his wonderful news in a message to attendees that his DC driver’s license is finally being restored after more than a decade! Attendees also had the opportunity to hear virtual remarks from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who sent her support for Tzedek DC all the way from Boston!
Tzedek DC Founding President & Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman addressing the crowd
Senator Elizabeth Warren sharing remarks, including “it is an honor to fight alongside [Tzedek DC]”
The five stellar soup chefs, recruited by Honorary Chair Bonnie Benwick, stole the show that evening, however, each with their own unique creations. Andrew Allen of Caruso’s Grocery showcased a hearty Tuscan Bean Soup with Smoked Tomato and Zhug perfect for the weather, Marilyn Polon & Sara Polon of Soupergirl fame debuted a brand-new (and delicious) Classic Tomato Gazpacho, and Taryn Pellicone & Valerie Zweig of Prescription Chicken proved they excel at more than just chicken soup with a Caramelized Onion Soup with Mini Matzah Balls and Gruyere Challah Crostini.
Two soups shone especially, though, in the first-ever tie in Eat Well, Do Justice history! The Cashew Chickpea Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms from Donna Henry of Soup Up and the Moroccan Harira Soup from Doron Azrad & Rachell Bitton of Kosher Sustenance were both too good for attendees and judges to choose between.
EWDJ 2022 Chefs (left to right): Andrew Allen, Valerie Zweig, Taryn Pellicone, Sara Polon, Donna Henry, Rachell Bitton, Doron Azrad
EWDJ 2022 Winners (left to right): Rachell Bitton, Doron Azrad, Donna Henry
We are especially grateful to guest judges Nicole Austin-Hillery, President & CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Sarah Hurwitz, Author and Former White House Speechwriter for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama; and Ryan Moore, Executive Chef of Sababa and winner of Eat Well, Do Justice 2021: Spread Hummus, Not Hate. The soups were all so good, some of our judges even tried to vote for two! The Soup Up Cashew Chickpea Soup ultimately took the judge’s vote, however, while the Kosher Sustenance Moroccan Harira Soup won the heart of the audience.
EWDJ 2022 Judges (left to right): Nicole Austin-Hillery, Sarah Hurwitz, Ryan Moore
An EWDJ 2022 attendee casting their ballot
The event was co-chaired by Annie Binder, Laura Kumin, June Kress, and Nina Simon. The Host Committee and Sponsors were also instrumental in the evening’s success. For those who were unable to attend, links to the videos of Norris Harvey and Senator Elizabeth Warren’s remarks are available above, as well as to the text of Ariel Levinson-Waldman’s remarks.
As announced at the event, gifts to Tzedek DC this month are being matched two times on the dollar for gifts above $1,000 and dollar for dollar for gifts below $1,000. This match, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of anonymous donors, will extend up to $50,000 and has not yet closed. Please consider donating now to double or even triple the impact of your gift!
As in past years, this Eat Well, Do Justice event sold out days before the event. Make sure to secure your tickets for EWDJ 2023 when they become available next summer!
