Lion of Judah

An artful group of women philanthropists

By Dr. Judith Finer Freedman, Lion of Judah Society Co-Chair

On Feb. 24, 2022, Jewish Federation’s Lion of Judah Society will gather for an event in the beautiful home of Pella and Jack Fingersh, featuring the incredible museum-quality art in their collection. We are excited about this special event that allows us to come together in person to view this amazing art collection and learn of the immediate needs facing our community.

As a co-chair of the event, I am delighted to host our local Lion of Judah women at a welcome toast in my own home. After waiting almost two years, we will be able to gather and celebrate the incredible power of women’s philanthropy, more evident than ever in a world changed since COVID. We can be proud of our Jewish Federation, which has served as a guiding and comforting source of information and resources to our community during tough times.

“The Lion of Judah Society represents 45% of the total Annual Community Campaign in Naples, and these gifts enable Jewish Federation to further its impact on the Jewish community and the greater Naples community,” says Susie Goldsmith, fellow co-chair of the Feb. 24 event.

The 74 women in Greater Naples who contribute at the Lion of Judah level to Jewish Federation’s Annual Community Campaign, last year contributed more than $654,000 of the $1.5 million campaign.

“Their gifts to the 2022 campaign are expected to exceed last year’s record,” Susie adds. More than just about giving, Lion of Judah Society women care deeply for the Jewish people and for working to improve our community and our world. In addition to social and networking events, such as the February Art Tour, they are also active in social service projects that benefi t local school-aged children in Naples.

For more information on becoming a Lion of Judah or on our Feb. 24 Art Tour (where space will be limited), please contact Kirk Wisemayer at 239263-4205 (ext. 305) or kwisemayer@ jewishnaples.org.

The Lion of Judah Society is an international group of women philanthropists who contribute a minimum of $5,000 per year to the annual campaign of their local Jewish Federation. There are more than 18,000 Lion of Judah women around the world, 3,600 of whom have permanently endowed their gifts to the tune of $590 million.