Aspen Community Raises $265,000 for National Jewish Health at Eighth Annual Bella Sera on Aug. 4, 20

Event Honors Humanitarian Leaders Wilma and Stuart Bernstein, Suellen and Melvyn Estrin, and Marlene and Fred Malek

More than 170 people came together for the Eighth Annual Bella Sera on Aug. 4, 2014, at Hotel Jerome in Aspen to recognize six leaders for their contributions to the local, national and global communities – Wilma and Stuart Bernstein, Suellen and Melvyn Estrin, and Marlene and Fred Malek. The event, presented by Nancy and Richard Rogers, also raised $265,000 for National Jewish Health, the nation’s leading respiratory hospital for 115 years.

All honorees received the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award at the event, which recognizes individuals across the country who have made significant civic and charitable contributions.

“These six extraordinary individuals are most deserving of the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award,” said President and CEO Michael Salem, MD. “They continually give back to the greater community and enrich lives through their generosity of spirit and support.”

The event also featured entertainment by Sephira, two sisters from Ireland whose violin and vocal performances deliver a distinct musical brand of melodies. The duo began their performance that evening with “Angel,” a tribute song to honoree Melvyn Estrin, who passed away July 9, 2014.

National Jewish Health, based in Denver, has been a part of the Aspen Valley medical community since 2003. The institution’s physicians work closely with local physicians to provide internationally recognized care in respiratory, allergy and immune diseases. The funds raised at the event benefit efforts in Aspen and worldwide.

Event co-chairs were Louise and David Gitlitz and Kristen and Marc Holtzman. The Host Committee included Peggy and Shlomo Ben-Hamoo; Denise and Warren Cohen; Yoly and Mark Davis; Samia and Huda Farouki; Joan Fabry and Michael Klein; Barbara and Aaron Fleck; U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Richard Blum; Golda and Shelly Friedstein; Richard Goodwin; Erica and Rick Horvitz; Alex Kaufman; Dorothy and Sidney Kohl; Madeleine Larson; Paula and Monty Loud; Carrie and John Morgridge; Amy and Richie Pearlstone; Kathryn Fleck Peisach and Harry Peisach; Essie and Jordon Perlmutter; Lynda and Stewart Resnick; Nancy and Richard Rogers; Elaine and Marvin Rosenberg; Linda and David Stein; Dorothy and Harold Thau; Laura and Lantz Welch; and Elle and Philip Winn.