Women's Philanthropy: A Powerful Voice in the Jewish Community

It is fitting during Women’s History Month to acknowledge the vital role that women’s philanthropy plays in creating social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity, and building Jewish identity.

While the focus on philanthropy is the mobilization of financial resources to promote the welfare of others, it extends beyond that. It’s about knowing and understanding deeply the breadth of issues facing our community and rolling up our sleeves to help. It’s about educating, inspiring, and empowering women of all ages in our community. It’s about nurturing leadership and fostering a commitment to philanthropy. It’s about having an impact.

Still, when it comes to women’s role in generating and distributing philanthropic dollars, their collective influence is significant and only growing. With 64% of charitable contributions nationally coming from women, they represent a demographic with a powerful voice.

Locally, the power of that voice is evidenced by the role women’s charitable giving has in the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte (JFGC), with more than one third of donations to the JFGC Annual Campaign coming from women — more than $1,400,000 in 2020! Part of that total comes from the Lions of Judah, Pomegranate, and Pearl Societies, representing women who give to the Federation at various levels. As part of the Women’s Philanthropy division of the Annual Campaign, they serve as a leading voice in local, Jewish, philanthropy.

As noted by Karen Ransenberg, co-chair for the Pomegranate Society, “Lions and Poms are the most dynamic philanthropic women in the world. We are strong women of all ages, an international sisterhood of thousands of global activists who care deeply about the Jewish future. We play a vital role in creating social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity.”

Each year, the Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Societies hold their annual luncheon to “celebrate the power of a woman’s gift” and raise funds for the JFGC Annual Campaign. This year, like so many other events (including the Main Event) the luncheon was held virtually, though lunch was not absent, being provided to each attendee’s home. And as with the Main Event, instead of seeing a decrease in attendance because of the format, the luncheon had greater attendance than years past, with more than 100 women participating.

The leaders shared what the Jewish Federation and philanthropy mean to them. Individually and collectively, they acknowledged how the traditions of tzedakah and tikkun olam motivate them to dedicate themselves, through women’s philanthropy, to the continuity, connectivity, and thriving future of our Charlotte community, Israel, and the Jewish people. They also highlighted the importance that modeling involvement and giving have to inspire future generations.

JFCG wishes to acknowledge and thank the Women’s Philanthropy leaders: Sara Kulbersh (2021 Annual Campaign cochair), Lisa Strause Levinson and Debra Van Glish (Women’s Philanthropy co-chairs), Meredith Baumstein (Lion of Judah chair), Melanie Brown, Alyssa Levine, and Karen Ransenberg (Pomegranate Society cochairs).

In the words of the song that opened the luncheon, “Our voice is strong, our voice is powerful, our voice can change the world” — the voice of the Jewish women in Charlotte is strong and powerful, indeed.