DEATH BECOMES HER

Jennifer Graziano created jewels for OUR GRIEF

New York metro-area funeral director, Jennifer Graziano, who owns multiple funeral homes, recognized a growing trend in her industry. An attorney as well as a radio talk show host discussing prominent and pertinent age-related issues, Graziano realized a growing trend in her industry. She noted the rise in cremation and the need for beautiful, finely crafted tokens of remembrance. She created “RememBar Collection”, in 2019, soliciting the help of Ward Kelvin, former Tiffany & David Yurman designer. Graziano expanded her vision to make the pieces relevant to all people who have lost a loved one. Each 18k gold or sterling silver bar holds a portion of a loved one’s cremated remains, lock of hair or favorite perfume scent. The pieces, in addition, feature the birthstone of their loved one with the word “remember” delicately inscribed. For Graziano, it’s about turning a negative into a positive, and offering hope when it’s needed the most. www.remembarcollection.com

By Laura Taylor Jean

Jean Shafiroff is a well-known New Yorker who is a philanthropist, humanitarian, TV host, writer, and the author of the book "Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give". Described as The First Lady of Philanthropy by Hola Magazine, Hello Magazine and many other publications, Jean works extensively as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world. In 2021, Jean Shafiroff was named one of The Power Players in Philanthropy by Marquis Who's Who along with Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet and a number of others.

Jean serves on the boards of nine charitable organizations and each year chairs upwards of eight to ten different charity galas. She also hosts many other events for several different charities. Jean champions many causes including women’s rights, rights of the underserved, health care, and animal welfare. Additionally, her on-going support and passion for the fashion industry is very important.

The great Coco Chanel once stated, “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside." As a style icon herself, Jean is inspired by these words. It is simply true to the philanthropist that when a person has a good heart and wants to find a way to give back, it is the most important thing in the world.

Jean’s captivating looks are noted at the numerous charity events she attends. While many eyes in the room take in her exquisite looks, the philanthropist is quick to note that she does not just wear a beautiful gown for the sake of putting something pretty on, but rather to show her support for the fashion industry. However, of foremost importance to Jean is the causes and charities being supported.

“It is incredibly important to support emerging designers, especially after the fashion world took such a large financial loss during the pandemic. This is something that I am passionate about and is something that Valerie Steele (Director of the Fashion Institute of Technology) told me is key to helping the industry get back on its feet,” states Jean, who serves as board member of the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT.

The philanthropist often wears a mix of notable designers as well as the work of young artists from across the world. Jean is now out and about supporting many different causes - and does so in style. Her love of fashion celebrates the rebirth of being able to simply dress up again in elegant attire. Like many others, the shedding of 2020 at-home attire is out and en vogue fashion is in. We are all rejoicing and taking great pride in returning to a healthy, safe and normal life again.

While her collection of high fashion gowns will one day be donated to a museum, for now she is still enjoying wearing them. Her collection includes a large number of gowns by designers Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Hererra Zang Toi, Valentino, Mary McFadden, B Michael, Malan Breton, Zac Posen and Victor de Souza.

Jean serves on nine foundation boards, with the newest position being with the South Bronx-based Casita Maria. The organization creates a welcoming community that enriches youth and families towards success through shared cultural, art and educational experiences. Jean also is a Board Member of the American Humane, Southampton Hospital Association, Mission Society of NYC, NY Women's Foundation, French Heritage Society, Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, Global Strays, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board. A Catholic, she served on the board of the Jewish Board for 28 years and now is one of their honorary trustees. She is also an ambassador for American Humane and is the national spokesperson for the organization’s “Feed the Hungry” Covid-19 program, an initiative designed to provide food for 1,000,000 shelter animals. Jean is the ambassador of the Southampton

JEAN IS THE PRODUCER AND HOST OF THE TELEVISION SHOW "SUCCESSFUL PHILANTHROPY" WHICH AIRS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK THROUGH LTV STUDIOS IN EAST HAMPTON, NY.

Animal Shelter Foundation and a key donor and volunteer fundraiser for their work. Jean has been honored many times by several groups including the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, New York City Mission Society, Southampton Animal Shelter, Surgeons of Hope, Al Sharpton's National Action Network, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, Youth Counselling League, the NYC International Film Festival Foundation, the Jewish Board, and the Hadassah. In December 2020 Dan's Paper named her Philanthropist of the Year at their Long Island Power Women's Award Ceremony. Her list of accolades grew when the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation honored her for her work, as well as Health Advocates for Older People for her achievements in the community at their October New York Treasures Gala.

A Cause So Noble, They Made a Movie About It.

Jean is the producer and host of the television show "Successful Philanthropy" which airs several times a week through LTV studios in East Hampton, NY, and Sun20TV in Southampton, NY. Her show also airs in New York City on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) Saturdays at 8:30 pm: Spectrum Channel 34 and 1995, Verizon/ FiOS Channel 33, Sun 20, and RCN Channel 82. She hopes to open her TV show in additional markets in 2021. On her TV program, Jean interviews an eclectic mix of leaders in the world of philanthropy as well as actors, artists, business and civic leaders, and even the former U.S. presidential candidate, Brock Pierce. Other interviews have taken place with such notables as Kerry Kennedy,

Ndaba Mandela, Rep, Caroline Maloney, Susan B. Taylor, Carol Alt, Dan Gasby, and Tony Danza.

Jean is truly one of the busiest, kindest, and most successful leaders in the field of philanthropy. Her level of commitment and dedication is highly unusual. And Jean manages to do all of her work in the most fashionable of ways.

For more information about Jean Shafiroff, please visit her social media:

Instagram: @JeanShafiroff and @JeanShafiroffAtWork

Facebook: @JeanShafiroff

Twitter: @JeanShafiroff

Helping