South Jersey Spotlight on the Remember Tomorrow Fund

When a valued business friend starts a nonprofit organization called the Remember Tomorrow Fund, the news begs to be shared online and go viral. Assisting Sara Rosenberg to craft a tagline for the organization’s fierce logo was a creative blast, but I wanted to do more.

This very special South Jersey Spotlight is the result of my wish to help Sara and her team promote RTF’s first fund-raiser on July 11th in Brooklyn, New York.

I know the thought of sexual abuse happening to any child causes you to hover near your own children a bit more closely. Once you read my interview with Sara, please like/share/re-tweet this post as often as possible before July 11th…

By All Writes: Why did you decide to start the Remember Tomorrow Fund? When did you found/start it?

Sara Rosenberg: We started the Remember Tomorrow Fund in memory of our friend Joey Diangello, who passed away on October 12, 2014.

Joey was a child advocate within the very right-wing, ultra-Orthodox communities. He was concurrently battling personal demons that resulted from his own abuse as a child in the Satmar Jewish community. His passing left a void that we wanted to try and fill.

Because of his work and his outspokenness in the Jewish community, Joey was largely vilified. As crazy as it sounds, many people were happy to have him silenced.

As his friend, I received a handful of messages saying exactly that from people who regularly threatened and taunted him. We didn’t want them to think Joey could be kept quiet, or that his work would stop.

BAW: What can attendees expect the night of RTF’s first Battle of the Metal Bands fund-raiser on July 11th in Brooklyn, New York?

SR: Joey loved music. It was his escape. He specifically loved metal, and the best way to celebrate Joey in a way he would have enjoyed is to play metal music ALL NIGHT LONG! We’ve secured some of the best local metal bands and are working now on food and beverage donations.

Joey was a drummer; he would regularly challenge my son (who is also a drummer) to learn certain songs. So as a tribute, my son’s band, My Little Crusaders, will be playing those songs…

BAW: Who do you hope will attend the 7/11/15 event?

SR: Everyone is invited! We are aiming a bit small this year, since it’s our first time staging the event. Joey’s friends (and friends of friends) will be joining us, as well as anyone who cares about survivors of abuse. Joey had many media contacts who continue to be very supportive; we hope to also have them in attendance.

BAW: What organizations will benefit from RTF’s 2015 Battle of the Metal Bands event?

SR: While he lived, Joey quietly championed at least three support groups for survivors of sexual abuse. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to find the appropriate contact people yet for these groups. As soon as we do, those support groups will be the beneficiaries.

In the meantime, all monetary donations from the event will go to Mount Sinai St. Luke’s DBT program (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and Mount Sinai’s SAVI program (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention). Both of these amazing programs helped Joey a lot during his life’s journey. He regularly referred other survivors to these programs.

BAW: What do you think will be your ultimate “happy moment” regarding the Remember Tomorrow Fund’s first large-scale event?

SR: Honestly, I think just getting through it will be enough for this year. It will be an extremely emotional night for all of Joey’s friends, but one that we think is necessary.

The Remember Tomorrow Fund will function to keep him alive for us. It will also serve as inspiration for other survivors in the Jewish community who continue to struggle with the reality of sexual abuse.

BAW: If you could tell people one thing about your friend Joey Diangello, what would it be (and why)?

SR: While coping with the aftermath of Joey’s death, I realized a very important thing. Joey, even though he was largely abandoned by his biological family (and certainly abandoned by his community), had this amazing network of people who loved him and supported him through so much.

Despite the hard-core exterior, he was just a little kid who wanted to be loved. But he had so much love and support to give others, even while he was struggling himself–and he gave it, selflessly and unconditionally.

People would scream at Joey in the street or taunt him on Twitter that he was an anti-semite. Here’s the truth: He cared more about other Jews and Jewish children than any religious Jew I know. And he fought hard to ensure nothing like what happened to him as a young boy would happen to one more child.

Okay, dear readers–no cleverly written, soft-sell pitch, and no coy lead-in for my call to action. I implore you to support the Remember Tomorrow Fund’s inaugural Battle of the Metal Bands in honor of Joey Diangello.

Although metal may not rank high on your music-listening list, consider road-tripping to Brooklyn for “The Show” this July 11th. Tickets can be purchased online (please keep checking availability).

And if the dulcet tones of Iron Maiden don’t rock your world, consider making an online donation to the Remember Tomorrow Fund.

Please send all general inquiries regarding RTF directly to the organization via e-mail (RememberTomorrowFund@gmail.com). Don’t hesitate to connect with the Remember Tomorrow Fund on both Instagram (follow it!) and Facebook (like it!).