On September 29, Tzedek DC held our ninth annual Eat Well, Do Justice!® celebration. We are enormously grateful for the outpouring of support reflected at the event, which helped us raise over $350,000—and still counting!—in support of our justice mission over the course of a fun, substantive, and tasty evening. A huge thank you to all who made the evening a special one!
Gifts to Tzedek DC this month are being matched thanks to the extraordinary generosity of several anonymous donors. The match extends up to $18,000 and has not yet closed, and proceeds will support the growth of our legal and financial counseling programs, systemic change, and community education work as we are asked by the community to continue to expand our reach. Please consider donating now to double the impact of your gift!
Following the reception, where guests tried the competing chefs’ apples and honey themed offerings and voted on their favorite, the program kicked off with welcome remarks from Board Chair Rachel Kronowitz. The remarks were followed by a beautiful rendition of the Hebrew and Arabic peace song Salaam (Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu) led by Michael Berkson on guitar and vocals.
Attendees then heard from Yewoinhareg (Yoyo) Kebede, a 2024 graduate of Tzedek DC’s Financial Empowerment Program, who was introduced by Program Coordinator Sophie Adler and Outreach Coordinator Stephen Jefferson. Yoyo shared the impact that the program had on her life and the lives of her fellow participants, including how Tzedek DC’s financial counselor “helped me approach [money] with confidence instead of fear.”
The good energy kept going with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s Keep the Faith, led by Broadway singer Willis White on lead vocals. Willis was joined by Dan Neustadt on keyboard and Emily Geller on percussion, as well as alumni of the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, Hilary Daniel, Angela Jones, Davina McKoy, and David Powell.
Founding President & Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman connected the song to our work, including reflecting on how critical its message of resilience is in 2025. Ariel also shouted out the members of our newly formed Community Strategy Council, who were able to join us for the evening. The Council is made up entirely of members of our client community and will help shape how we do our work and keep us connected to the communities we serve.
Deputy Director Sarah Hollender presented Volunteer Staff Attorney Joshua Levin with our third-ever Janet Lowenthal Volunteer Service Award, followed by remarks from Josh himself.
Ultimately, the five stellar chefs stole the show that evening, each with their own unique creations. David Guas of Bayou Bakery and Neutral Ground Kitchen whipped up an early fall lost bread, Michelle Poteaux of Bastille Brasserie & Bar baked a gâteau renversé aux pommes, and Briana White of Emma’s Torch brought a black-eyed pea succotash with honey corn puree and apple chips.
The competition was intense, with some judges going back for seconds (or even thirds!) to help make their decision. Ultimately, we could not crown only one winner—two fantastic dishes emerged in a tie! Scheyla Acosta of La Bonne Vache won the popular vote with a goat cheese panna cotta, and Rochelle Cooper of the Duck & the Peach captured the judges’ hearts with her nostalgic vegan caramel apple cake with caramel honey apples.
We are especially grateful to guest judges Rev. Thomas Bowen, Earl L. Harrison Minister of Social Justice at Shiloh Baptist Church; Bea Gurwitz, Executive Director of the Capital Jewish Museum; Seth Waxman, Partner at WilmerHale and former U.S. Solicitor General; and Chef Daniel Rosen, winner of Eat Well, Do Justice!® 2024!
The event was skillfully chaired and moderated by former Washington Post food editor Bonnie Benwick and co-chaired by Paul Hastings Partner Allyson Baker and long-time consumer advocate Nina Simon. The Host Committee and Sponsors were also instrumental in the evening’s success, and we are grateful for the attendance of DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb as well as DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson and fellow Councilmembers Charles Allen, Matthew Frumin, and Robert White.
Gifts to Tzedek DC this month are being matched thanks to the extraordinary generosity of several anonymous donors. The match extends up to $18,000 and has not yet closed, and proceeds will support the growth of programs such as our Financial Empowerment Program. Please consider donating now to double the impact of your gift!
Make sure to secure your tickets for EWDJ 2026 when they become available next summer!
