Sixth Annual Aspen “Bella Sera” Raises Nearly $160,000 for National Jewish Health

The Aspen community raised nearly $160,000 to support National Jewish Health, ranked the nation’s number one respiratory hospital for 15 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, at the sixth annual Bella Sera reception on Aug. 6.  “Bella Sera Goes Latin” at Maroon Creek Club honored Aspen residents Peggy and Shlomo Ben-Hamoo and Kathryn Fleck Peisach and Harry Peisach with the institution’s Humanitarian Award for their philanthropic and civic commitment to the community. Philip Winn was also honored with a Humanitarian Award at the event. He has been a National Jewish Health Trustee for 15 years and has been instrumental in the success of the Bella Sera event.

In addition to funding care and research at National Jewish Health, proceeds from “Bella Sera Goes Latin” support the institution’s adult and pediatric clinics in the Aspen Valley. National Jewish Health physicians have been part of the Aspen Valley medical community since 2003, working closely with area physicians to provide internationally recognized care for patients with allergy and respiratory-related diseases. With the adult clinic at the Aspen Valley Hospital and the specialty pediatric clinics in New Castle and Basalt, National Jewish Health specialists have more than 1,200 patient visits a year in the Aspen Valley.

Before Aspen resident and past Bella Sera honoree David Gitlitz presented the Humanitarian Awards, National Jewish Health Board Member Donald A. Silversmith and President and CEO Michael Salem, MD, thanked guests for their support of the renowned Colorado institution. Guests also enjoyed flamenco rhythms from guitarist Gregory Nisnevich, and Latin American dishes.

Event co-chairs for the reception were Louise and David Gitlitz and Laura and Lantz Welch. Committee members were Wilma and Stuart Bernstein, Dick Butera, Holly and David Dreman, Suellen and Melvyn Estrin, Debbie and Michael Feiner, Darlynn and Tom Fellman, Barbara and Aaron Fleck, Golda and Shelly Friedstein, Betty and Bob Gates, Marilyn and William Getz, Barbara and Jerry Glauser, Cheryl and Steve Goldenberg, Lita Heller, Alex Kaufman, Madeleine Larson, Marlene and Frederic Malek, Amy and Richard Pearlstone, Essie and Jordon Perlmutter, Lexie and Robert Potamkin, Nancy and Richard Rogers, Elaine and Marvin Rosenberg, Gloria Scharlin, Linda and David Stein, Lynda and Doug Weiser, and Elle and Philip Winn.
 

National Jewish Health is known worldwide for treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders, and for groundbreaking medical research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health remains the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to these disorders. Since 1998, U.S. News & World Report has ranked National Jewish Health the number one respiratory hospital in the nation.