Groundbreaking model to headline Palm Beach Synagogue women's luncheon

A woman who made headlines for being the first model with muscular dystrophy to walk unassisted in New York Fashion Week is the featured speaker at the Palm Beach Synagogue's annual Spa for the Soul luncheon.

Lily Brasch is an actress, producer, writer, student and motivational speaker. She will headline the luncheon that begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at The Hilton, 600 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. To RSVP for the event, go to palmbeachsynagogue.org/spa.

"There's a saying: You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails," Palm Beach Synagogue Rebbetzin Dinie Schneider said. "There are certain things in our lives that you can’t control, but we can control our reactions, and Lily Brasch is the epitome of somebody who took those challenges and really made the best of her situation, made the best of her life."

This year's event honors Debra Wagner, who is receiving the Woman of Valor Award, and Nicole Mosca, who is receiving the Community Impact Award, the synagogue said.

The event each year supports a Spa for the Soul Mitzvah Project, with this year's luncheon benefiting the Israeli fashion industry's small business community. Fashion designer Sharon Tal, who worked for Alexander McQueen and Lanvin and is now head designer for luxury ready-to-wear brand Maskit, will deliver remarks, the synagogue said.

Maskit was founded in 1954 by Rut Dayan, the wife of longtime Israeli leader Moshe Dayan. It was created to provide jobs that would preserve Jewish crafts and culture, and the brand for years was a cultural ambassador and recognized internationally, the synagogue said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Model Lily Brasch to headline Palm Beach Synagogue women's luncheon