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The Women's Division provides a vehicle through which numerous opportunities for women of all giving levels can collectively promote, enhance, disscuss, and celebrate Jewish life. The Women's Division strengthens our community and demonstrates the tremendous impact women have through mentorship and gifts to the Federation's Campaign.

 

has been raised

in the Women’s 2023 Campaign to date (as of April 24, 2023)

that represents 463 individual pledges

from the same group of donors in 2022

 

 

Shaping a Bright Jewish Future

The philanthropic women who comprise the various levels of giving within the Division truly own the power to shape our Jewish future. Where women were once seen as caregivers or served in volunteer roles, the tides have shifted greatly. Recognizing that eventuality, UJFT has long encouraged women donors to deepen their understanding of community priorities and to embrace their individual philanthropy. Women have begun to and will continue to play an increasing role in the complex and often difficult decisions about how to fund the institutions that we love and that our community needs.

 

 

LION OF JUDAH

 

Lion of Judah is a campaign division for women who make an individual gift of $5,000 to $250,000 to the Annual Campaign of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Our Lion of Judah circle here in Tidewater stands at 105 ladies strong! Created in 1972, by Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland of the Miami Federation, the Lion of Judah is now an international symbol of commitment to the Jewish community. The program brings together women of all ages and diverse walks of life, playing an essential role in creating social justice, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, preserving human dignity, and building Jewish identity. Internationally, more than 16,000 women proudly wear their gold Lion of Judah pin. 

Lion of Judah Levels

 

 

LOJE: Lion of Judah Endowment

 

Many Lion of Judah donors has now endowed their gifts to ensure that their Lion of Judah gifts will be made every year in perpetuity. LOJE (Lion of Judah Endowment) donors wear the Or L'Atid (Light Unto the Future) flame on their pins as a symbol of this lasting commitment to the Jewish community. A LOJE is a powerful statement of a donor's commitment to tzedakah, providing a legacy for family and community.

 

Who can make a LOJE commitment?

Every woman who contributes $5,000 or more to her community's annual campaign can establish a LOJE, and add the prestigious Or L'Atid flame to her Lion of Judah pin -- an internationally recognized symbol of dedication to the Jewish people.

 

How can a Lion of Judah make a LOJE commitment?

Every woman has a unique family and financial situation. In recognition of different estate planning and tax objectives, a LOJE can be easily and positively designed to match an individuals' personal circumstances with great benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

THE TIKVA SOCIETY 

 

The Tikva Society is unique to women’s philanthropy in Tidewater. Created during the 2012 campaign, a Tikva donor is one who makes an individual Annual Campaign commitment between $3,600 and $4,999 to our Federation. The Society was named Gan Tikva (Garden of Hope) because its founders hoped to encourage women to become even further engaged in leadership, community building, and philanthropy. A small 14kt Tikva charm (which can be worn on a bracelet or necklace) plants the seed of a future Lion. This is a wonderful place to begin your philanthropic journey.

 

 

 

THE CHAI SOCIETY

 

The Chai Division is a campaign division for women who give a gift of $1,800-$3,599 to the Annual Campaign. The Chai (or in some communities, Pomegranate) Division is a nationally recognized level of women’s leadership giving in the Federation system. 

 

One of the seven fruits named in the Bible, the pomegranate is said to contain 613 seeds, one for each of the mitzvot or commandments found in the Torah. The ancient symbol was carved in the entranceways of the earliest synagogues, woven into fabrics, and hammered into silver and gold. The intricate covers for the handles of the Torah scrolls are called “rimonim” or pomegranates.

 

 

 

GOLDA GIVER

 

The Golda Meier level of giving (a.k.a. Golda Giver) is the newest milestone level of giving in UJFT’s Women’s Campaign. Established by UJFT’s Women’s Campaign in 2015, Golda Givers are those who make individual commitments of between $1,000 and $1,799 to the UJFT Annual Campaign. Golda Givers receive a beautiful hand-crafted mezuzah case by Israeli artist Yair Emanuel as a gift of appreciation as they achieve this level of giving.

Synopsis

When the word "greatness" comes to mind, Golda Meir comes immediately to the forefront. Her commitment to her land and to her people was the paragon of human dedication. Her complete involvement, tempered with love, fired by fierce devotion, caused the world to know that she was a true mover of mountains.

 

Born in Kiev, Russia, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her family in 1906. In 1915, she joined the Labor Zionist Party. In 1917, she married Morris Meyerson and they moved to Tel Aviv (then Palestine) in 1921. Later they became the proud parents of Sarah and Menachem.

 

Always concerned with her people, Golda Meir, working with the Labor Movement, attended the Zionist Congress in Geneva in 1939, to help ensure protection of European Jews. She was greatly saddened to discover that many Europeans were not as caring as she thought they might be. In 1948, she was part of the People's Council signing the vital proclamation establishing the State of Israel.

 

On March 7, 1969, Golda Meir was nominated by the Labor Party to be Prime Minister of Israel. She held this esteemed position until 1974. One of the hardest days in the life of Golda Meir was October 6, 1973 - the beginning of the Yom Kippur War. It was a great tragedy for Golda Meir. In June, 1974, Golda Meir retired from political life.

 

Dates and positions do not begin to explain the lasting positive influence of Golda Meir. She is still deeply loved today by her people and by millions more throughout the world. Her dedication to her country and her personal concern for all people are legendary. Whatever Golda Meir did, she did for the people. If Greatness is given a name, it surely is “Golda."

Source

 

"The Women’s Division of the UJFT is a manifestation of the idea and belief that a woman’s gift is not only empowering — but it leads to a greater personal connection to the Federation, its affiliate organizations, and all those who partner with us in our quest to improve the world — tikkun olam." – Amy Zelenka, Chief Development Officer, UJFT

 

WOMEN'S DIVISION ENJOYS SOME OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:

 

 

Guest Speakers

Leadership Opportunties

Chef Demonstrations

Workshops with Israeli Artists 

 

 

 

RECENT EVENTS:

Spring Women's Lunch, 2022

  • 2022 UJFT Women's Spring Lunch

  • Barbara Dudley with Mona Flax

  • Rachel Abrams with Kristy Foleck

  • Rabbi Roz Mandelberg with Debbie Casey

  • Mona Flax with Gift

  • Marth Glasser with Annie Sandler

  • L - R Barbara Dudley, Sandy Katz, Laura Gross and Mona Flax

  • L - R Stephanie Calliott, Mona Flax, and Susan Cohen

  • L - R Lynn Schoenbaum, Stephaine Calliott, Leora Drory

  • L - R Karen Lombart, Judy Rosenblatt, and Annie Sandler

  • L - R Jodi Klebanoff, Linda Spindel, and Shelly Simon

  • L - R Ellen Wagner, Ellen Hundley, and Carol Brum

  • L - R Debbie Casey, Marth Glasser, Betty Ann Levin, Roseanne Simon and Robin Mancoll

  • L - R: Betsy Karotkin, Laura Miller, and Susan Alper

  • L - R: Barbara Dudley, Rachel Feigenbaum, and Laura Gross

  • L - R: Ashley Zittrain, Leora Drory, and Jodi Klebanoff

  • L - R: Alicia Friedman, Shelly Simon, Shari Friedman, Renee Strelitz, and Annie Sandler

  • JDC's Sandy Katz

  • Ellen Hundley with Susan Hirschbiel

  • Ellen Hundley with Rabbi Roa Mandelberg

  • Susan Alper with Annie Sandler

  • UJFT President Laura Gross

Read more about the Spring Lunch

 

OUTREACH TO JEWISH WOMEN IN TIDEWATER

UJFT’s Women’s Campaign offers several outreach and engagement events throughout the year, which are open to all women in the Jewish community. Events range from cooking demonstrations to workshops with Israeli artists, to guest lecturers, to Women’s Seders. Please Join us!  

 

If you’ve not done so already, like our “JEWISH WOMEN 757” Facebook page. You’ll receive e-mail links to the page whenever new articles, videos, or other postings are made.

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO GET INVOLVED IN WOMEN'S DIVISION

Contact Amy Zelenka, Chief Development Officer, at AZelenka@UJFT.org or (757) 965-6139.