The Jewish Journal is delighted to invite the community for an evening of enjoyment, laughter, great desserts and drinks, plus the opportunity to do not one, but two mitzvahs simultaneously.

To celebrate our 31st year as the voice of north of Boston’s Jewish community, we have planned a joyous and fun-filled evening out. It will be held in Swampscott’s Congregation Shirat Hayam with dessert catering by Bruce Silverlieb, The Party Specialist. The evening will commence by roasting and toasting Phyllis Sagan, founder of Sagan Realtors, and Pauline Spirito, creator of Infinity Fashion Boutique.

These women, who exemplify all that is good in business, will be roasted and toasted — all in good humor — as we show our appreciation for their business acumen, high ethical standards and social responsibility. Both women created and developed their own local businesses over decades, providing employment for scores of residents and valuable services for all.

“We want people to laugh and have a good time,” said event committee chairwoman Izzi Abrams, vice president of the Board of Overseers of the Jewish Journal.

She unveiled a new concept the committee has worked on. Called “Double-the-Mitzvah,” it is a way of raising funds for charitable causes while donating to the Jewish Journal at the same time.

In today’s troubled economy it is harder than ever for non-profit organizations to raise money. Charities need to advertise in order to fundraise, but advertising costs money. The staff of the Jewish Journal is often asked by non-profit organizations to provide advertising at low or no cost, but the Journal depends on advertising dollars to exist.

The Journal’s unique answer is for Jewish community members to donate money to the Journal that is earmarked for a favorite charity. The Journal will create an advertising account for that charity that will be good for one year. The chosen charity may then use the advertising account to promote fundraising events, new programs or milestones. The charity does not need to be Jewish, nor does it have to be local.

Individuals may make a donation in any amount. Do it at the Journal’s fundraising event on Sunday, May 31, do it online at http://www.jewishjournal.org through Google Donations on the right-hand corner of our homepage or telephone the Journal office at 978-745-4111.

Your one donation will help the charity of your choice, and it will help ensure the continued operation of the Journal.

The evening will conclude with the uplifting, hilarious comedy of Joel Chasnoff, a young Jewish comedian who has toured throughout the U.S. and entertained at military bases overseas. Chasnoff’s comedy is based on real Judaism and Jewish experiences – such as his nine years in a Jewish day school, his service in the Israel Defense Forces, and sitting around his family’s Shabbat table at dinner. He finds humor in the intricacies and details of Judaism and Jewish life.

For reservations click here or call Jessica at 978-745-4111 x113.