“A Celebration of Women’s Philanthropy”

Lions of Judah and Pomegranate Society to join together for exclusive event

By Susan Pittelman, Associate Chair of the Pomegranate Society

A highlight of the programming for the Lions of Judah and the members of the Pomegranate Society the last two years has been the opportunity to join together for an exclusive reception with a featured speaker from the Jewish Book Festival. In March 2019, the women had the opportunity to gather at Clive Daniel Home to meet with Beverly Gray, author of “Seduced by Mrs. Robinson.”

Last January, the women gathered at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club to talk with Book Festival author, Elizabeth Weitzman, who wrote “Renegade Women,” a tribute to women who broke the glass ceiling in the film and television industries. That event was the last opportunity for us to gather before COVID-19 struck, requiring us to begin to social distance.

The Lions and Poms are determined women, and even the pandemic won’t prevent them from enjoying an exclusive reception with an author from the Jewish Book Festival. As with all events this past year, we are pivoting to a Zoom format for our third author reception. (An advantage is that our snowbirds, who either have already returned to their northern home or who never made it to Florida this year, will be able to join us.)

The theme of this year’s event, which will be held on Tuesday, April 6, is “A Celebration of Women’s Philanthropy.” The featured speaker will be awardwinning professor, historian and author, Pamela Nadell.

Professor Nadell, Chair of Women’s and Gender History at American University in Washington, DC, is the recipient of the university’s highest faculty award, the “Scholar/Teacher of the Year.” Her book, “America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today,” won the 2019 National Jewish Book Award from the Jewish Book Council.

Professor Nadell will introduce us to women who, were they with us today, would surely wear the pins of the Lions of Judah or Pomegranate Society proudly. She will share the accomplishments of women, some who are familiar and a few others, whose names are not as well known, focusing on their contributions to philanthropy and the organizations they created to sustain Jews at home and abroad.

The twin threads binding all of these women together are a strong sense of self and a resolute commitment to making the world a better place. This certainly sounds like the focus of the Lions of Judah and the members of our Pomegranate Society! Each participating woman will receive a copy of “America’s Jewish Women.”

The Lions of Judah and the members of the Pomegranate Society are women in our community who carry on the fundamental Jewish tradition of tzedakah. They set exemplary standards of leadership and giving.

So far this year, the Women’s Division has contributed an impressive $523,369, which is 41% of the $1,270,445 raised to date for the Annual Campaign. Thank you Lions and Poms! This certainly is something to celebrate!

Federation’s philanthropy touches the lives of Jewish people in our local community, in Israel and in countries throughout the world. The Lions of Judah and the members of the Pomegranate Society play a powerful role in making that happen. Our collective philanthropy enriches our own lives while improving the lives of others.

To become a Lion of Judah, a woman makes a minimum annual commitment of $5,000 to our Federation’s Annual Campaign. To be a member of the Pomegranate Society, the minimum gift is $1,800.

Lions and Pomegranates are the heart and soul of our campaign, inspiring others to translate their Jewish commitment into giving that makes a difference. We hope that you will join us in being one of these women.

For further information, please call Jeffrey Feld at 239-263-4205 or email JFeld@JewishNaples.org.