With their exciting and innovative social gathering and determination to assist those in need, Couture for a Cause has established itself as the organization that marries fun with fundraising.

Couture for a Cause is a not-for-profit Jewish organization started by philanthropists and childhood friends Esther Silber- Berg and Michal Weinstein in efforts to aide various Jewish charities both local and abroad. Their motto is “Putting the Fabulous in Fundraising” and they have been doing so since their premier fashion event in 2007. Thanks to the enormous success of their initial launch, the following year’s event was widely publicized and featured celebrity designer Kara Janx, of Project Runway. In 2009, Couture for a Cause turned its loving heart towards the troubles at home, teaming up with locals Toby and Uri Jacobs to throw a talk-of-the-town Purim Masquerade party, benefiting Project Eliezer, which helps families in financial crisis. The 2010 Couture for a Cause Kids fashion show featured local children’s stores including 100% KIDS and Bib n’ Tucker and was a tremendous success with over 250 attendees and raised funds for Shlomzion, an Israeli charity that aides widows & orphans in Israel.  The 2013 “Joys of Life” event was one of the most successful, selling out 6 weeks in advance and having over 500 attendees. The funds raised benefitted the Shirat Devorah Foundation and Renewal, a Jewish Kidney Foundation. In 2015 CFAC hosted famed fashion designer Christian Siriano for what was another successful fashion show named CFAC No5 with funds going to Sharsheret. This event also introduced their very first Instastar award where 10 influencers were chosen to compete for the title through votes. In 2017 CFAC decided to include the men with their very first Comedy + Casino event starring comedian Elon Gold. Proceeds went to Lev Laytzan.

About the CFAC Women:

 Esther Silber-Berg, founder of CFAC is a graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design where she earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. Esther  inherited her fundraising ambitions from her Father and as a young girl often served on the board of various charities before deciding to start her own . As a child Esther was also hugely influenced by her Mother who ran an Interior Design firm, modeled in the fashion industry  and had impeccable taste in fashion and design. Growing up surrounded by such influential parents helped mold Esther into a business savvy woman with a love for giving back. Her first business venture post graduating  from Parsons was opening a high-end children’s store in South Beach called Alexa and Jack Children’s Boutique appropriately name after her daughter and son. There she became famous  for her “Bling Bling Baby” collection which was featured on Access Hollywood, UsWeekly and People Magazine. After moving back to New York she opened  a PR and Marketing firm called Esther Inc. There she developed herself as a brand and  soon earned a reputation for coordinating some of the most exclusive events in the New York social scene while simultaneously building a network and following. Esther has been written up in various newspapers and publications depicting  her life as a “socialite” and philanthropist.  Esther’s Instagram account @estherandsasha has amassed over 300,000 followers and has made her a lifestyle brand ambassador. As a wife and mother of four children Esther manages to make the time to juggle family, work and fundraising.

Michal Lara Weinstein, founder of CFAC is an Orthodox New Yorker from the 5 Towns, married with four children, and the owner of MLWDESIGN and Events 360. She is also the founder of Couture for a Cause. A graduate in Advertising and Marketing from Stern College for Women and the School of Visual Arts, Michal launched MLWDESIGN in 2003, a graphic design and promotional item company specializing in logos, branding, and print design.   With a longstanding passion for fashion, Michal began her career in public relations for designer Elie Tahari. In 2007, she teamed up with Esther Berg to start Couture for a Cause, a non-profit organization that started out producing innovative and creative fashion fundraisers for various Jewish organizations, including Shlomzion, Puah, Chai Lifeline, Ohel, Renewal, and Sharsheret, as well as assisting local residents of the 5 Towns in need. Building on her successful experience in event planning, Michal launched Events 360 in 2017, offering a full range of creative services for events. Her expertise and behind-the-scenes glimpses into glamorous, colorful events have garnered a large following on social media under @events360ny and @mlwdesignny.

In 2019, following the tragic murder of Ari Fuld ZT”L, Michal created an image titled “The Lion of Zion,” which went viral and raised nearly $100,000 for his family and associated causes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michal designed “KARANA,” an image calling for turning to G-d, which raised funds for families affected by the crisis. The pandemic marked a turning point for Michal, who began to question governmental responses and policies, leading her to shift her social media focus from event planning to sharing her personal awakening and political views. She also started writing a memoir about surviving her father’s tragic murder.

Michal’s social media content attracted followers who resonated with her story and stance, even as her @mlwdesignny account faced repeated cancellations due to censorship. In 2021, concerned about the erosion of freedoms in New York, Michal and her family moved to Florida, though their dream of making Aliyah was postponed. In Florida, Michal continued to share her journey, focusing on health and nutrition, and adopted the moniker “newbie holistic health nut.”

In 2023, Michal realized her dream of making Aliyah, relocating to Israel and pausing the event planning part of her business to adjust to her new life. After the events of October 7, she created another impactful image titled “Victory to Redemption,” raising funds for the orphans affected by the tragedy, a cause close to her heart. Michal continues to manage her graphic design and promotional item business as well as events 360 remotely while sharing her ongoing journey on social media.

Brielle “Breezy” Schwartz Beckerman, created Ketzy’s over 8 years ago as a premier gift destination for high and and unique items. In 2011 she reinvented her store as “Breezy’s” (www.BreezysNY.com) expanding from gift to hard to find baking items. In the past year she has written a cookbook “Breezy’s Mix & Match” to help bring her philosophy of easily accessible elegant creations into everyone’s homes, as well as offers classes in her store ranging from cupcakes to salads and dips. This past year she also helped head up and start the First Annual Cupcake War’s. Her proudest achievement is being a mother to her 2 wonderful children, Spencer and Aurora, who love to taste all of her creations.