Women's Divisions
WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY
Women philanthropists are the change-makers and community-shapers of the world. We are compassionate and committed women at every stage of life and career, of all ages, backgrounds and interests. We have a place for you to be involved and make a difference.
Inspired and guided by our tradition of tzedakah (righteousness/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) Women's Philanthropy engages women in the fulfilling work of making the world a better place. We make a personal commitment to build, support and enrich Jewish lives everywhere and work to create a vibrant Jewish future.
WHAT WE DO
Women’s Philanthropy is 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, connecting with like-minded women and fostering a commitment to philanthropy. It’s about having an impact.
We raise funds for crucial programs, plan for our community's future, and help women develop into tomorrow's leaders.
Through our donations and our hands-on community service, we help bring dignity to people in need, fight domestic violence, provide shelter to vulnerable children, protect at-risk seniors and so much more. We support Israel and world Jewry with our dollars and our presence.
Our collective philanthropy enriches our own lives while improving the lives of others. There’s so much happening in our community. Discover it now!
Our Leadership
Our Women’s Philanthropy Board is composed of a diverse group of devoted leaders who have committed their time and energy to advance our mission and purpose.
Rosita Beer, Board Chair
Lauren Alperstein
Jane Basch
Jodi Berman
Clara Bicas Palatchi
Simone Blaine
Randi Blum
Allison Cohen
Tammy Fayne
Barbara Feller
Heather Gilbert
Debra Gill
Hara Glasser-Frei
Debbie Gober
Sharri Gordon
Randi Grant
Sheryl Greenwald
Pamela Gregg
Lisa Henry
Miriam Hershenson
Sandi Jarrett
Robin Kabat
Jodi Katz
Rica Leibowich
Elise Lerner
Leslie Linevsky
Olgui Lowell
Lori Margolis
Lori Mizels
Sheri Rosenberg
Elsa Rozenberg
Gabriella Rubinsztain
Elizabeth Samrick
Mindy Schechter
Esther Shacket
Carolyn Shapir
Anne Sopshin
Samantha Sossin
Judy Spatz
Ellen Sredni
Amy Stolberg
Learn, Engage and Volunteer
Connect with like-minded women through fun, social and educational engagement and volunteer opportunities.
The Dignity Project's mission is to:
- Educate women about the difficult choices low-income women and girls face due to financial hurdles when purchasing feminine hygiene products.
- Empower women and girls by collecting donated personal care items (pads, tampons, liners, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and detergent) to be distributed through our community agencies.
- Further engage women in the Federation’s mission by highlighting our agencies’ work and mobilizing to meet a need in our community.
Since its inception, the community response has been remarkable. Our Federation has collected over 58,000 individual items via our Amazon wish list and curbside/contactless drop-off locations at seven private homes throughout Broward County. Sun-Sentinel shared additional details about the initiative with the community.
We saw our efforts come to fruition, with deliveries to five Broward agencies: The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard, Craig's Pantry, WECARE Food Pantry, Hebrew Academy Community School and PACE Center for Girls.
As our community’s need continues to grow due to the pandemic, these products will alleviate a burden for hundreds of recipients. They will allow the agencies to offer more without absorbing additional costs. “It was very moving to see the shelves stocked with products and hear about the impact these items will have on recipients,” added Andie Temkin Gerszuny, Director, Women's Philanthropy.
“We express our deepest gratitude to the over 200 individuals who contributed to this initiative, the agencies, committee members, and representatives who made this project flourish,” exclaims Rosita Beer, Chair, Women’s Philanthropy.
The Dignity Project will continue its initiative throughout the year. If you would like to participate or start your own collection, please contact Andie Temkin Gerszuny, Director of Women’s Philanthropy at agerszuny@jewishbroward.org.
Leadership Series
Leadership Series: We have two robust women’s leadership curriculum series.
The Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Series is for those interested in furthering their Federation education and exposure as well as their leadership skills in a cohort of like-minded women.
Our newly launched Yesod: Jewish Women’s Leadership Series 2.0 offers leaders insights into personal and organizational leadership through a Jewish perspective.
This exciting program which is offered nationally was developed by the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning and written by well-known Dr. Erica Brown. A cohort is nominated to participate in this curriculum, and the program merges Jewish text study, business skills, leadership theory, and experiential application.
Learning Series
Participate in the Jewish Women’s Learning Series (minimum giving level of $1,000+ to the annual campaign)
Our Jewish Women’s Learning Series meets monthly over the course of 6 months. We are currently exploring the Jewish spiritual practice of Mussar, which is a virtues based approach to Jewish Ethics and character development. Each session focuses on a different virtue (Middah). Throughout the series, women engage and connect with each other on a deeper level through small group and group discussions surrounding Jewish text specific to each virtue.
Ways To Give
With your help, we are able to build a safety net for the most vulnerable and secure the Jewish future in Broward, Israel, and worldwide.
Lion of Judah | $5,000
The Lion of Judah is a symbol of a Jewish woman's strength, her passion for Jewish community and a symbol of her financial commitment of at least $5,000 to the Federation's Campaign. Lion of Judah is an international sisterhood of thousands of global philanthropists who care about the Jewish future. Click here for more information.
Pomegranate | $1,800 - $4,999
Pomegranate is an ancient symbol found in the earliest synagogues. Women making an annual gift of $1,800-$4,999 are recognized by a sterling silver pomegranate pin.
Pearl | $365 - $1,799
Women’s Philanthropy – Welcome
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April 11, 2021 | Mitzvah Day April 18, 2021 | North Broward Family Rugelach Roll…
Read MoreWP Newsletter – March 2021
March 10, 2021 | WP Board Meeting March 14, 2021 | Community Campaign Celebration March…
Read MoreWP Newsletter – Feb 2021
Written and Edited by Anne Sopshin Super Sunday | February 21, 2021 WP Board Meeting…
Read MoreWP Newsletter – Jan 2021
The Women’s Event | January 14, 2021 | 12:00 pmLion of Judah virtual conference |…
Read MoreWP Newsletter – Dec 2020
Major Gifts & Legacy Society: GOOD MORNING JEWISH BROWARD December 6, 2020 | 10:15 am…
Read MoreWP Newsletter – Nov 2020
Women’s Philanthropy Board Meeting | November 5, 2020 | 8:30 am March of the Living…
Read MoreWP Newsletter – Oct 2020
A Note from Rosita:Did you know… Our Federation cares deeply about world Jewry, and is…
Read MoreRosita Beer | Women's Philanthropy Chair
Rosita Beer was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2002, she and her family moved to Weston, Florida to raise her three girls in a safe environment. She received her certificate of College Counseling from UCLA and was awarded with distinction. Her focus is in Special Education and a concentration in Learning Disability. Today, she is a college counselor and enjoys helping students through their educational journals.
Rosita has been involved with the Jewish Federation of Broward County for many years. In 2010, she became involved with the Latin initiative and helped developed Maccabi Tzair in 2012. Since her inception, she has been a part of many committees. It is because of her involvement that she was nominated to be part of the Leadership Series, “Emerging Leaders” in 2013. In 2015, she joined the Women’s Philanthropy board and a year later co-chaired the Women’s Event, Bash. She was later awarded the Lisa R. Shulman Leadership Award for her outstanding efforts. Today, she is the chair of Women’s Philanthropy and the proud founder of The Dignity Project in Broward. She has traveled to Israel on the Federation’s Mission trips, traveled to Argentina and Uruguay, and has sat on impact teams supporting Israel and Overseas, and the Community Institute Seminar.
Pamela Gottlieb Interim Director, Women's Philanthropy
(954) 252-6936 | pgottlieb@jewishbroward.org
Julie Flansbaum Women's Philanthropy Assistant Director
(954) 252-6925 | jflansbaum@jewishbroward.org
WOMEN'S EXECUTIVE CIRCLE
The Women's Executive Circle (WEC) of the Jewish Federation of Broward County will exercise the collective clout of Broward County's preeminent Jewish women business and professional leaders to empower the women of tomorrow and employ high-impact philanthropy to strengthen our community today. We welcome the participation of accomplished corporate, entrepreneurial, and professional women who want to make a difference. The WEC represents a view from the top of Broward County's corporate, entrepreneurial and professional world, and each member benefits from the stimulating and supportive relationship she develops. Within this network, peers share best practices, create new ways of collaborating, and explore the balance between personal and professional priorities. WEC members employ innovative mentoring techniques to help mold the next generation of business leaders – mentoring each other, making lasting friendships and business relationships, all while strengthening the Broward Jewish community.
Women's Executive Circle Chair:
Susan Weisman
Alona Geysman Vice President/Business & Corporate Development
(954) 252-6945 | ageysman@jewishbroward.org
JWF Trustees & Membership Information
MEMBERSHIP
Individual membership shall be through a financial contribution in one of five categories:
TRUSTEE
Trustees make a $10,000 commitment, payable over five (5) years. Trustees in good standing are those who have paid a minimum of $2,000 per calendar year. At the completion of five (5) years, Trustees may renew their membership by making a $5,000 commitment, also payable over five (5) years.
YOUNG WOMAN TRUSTEE (UNDER 40)
Young Woman Trustees make a $5,000 commitment, which may be payable over five (5) years. Young Woman Trustees in good standing are those who have paid a minimum of $1,000 per calendar year. At the completion of five (5) years, Young Woman Trustees may renew their membership by making a $5,000 commitment, also payable over five (5) years.
LION OF JUDAH TRUSTEE
Current Lions of Judah make a $5,000 commitment, which may be payable over five (5) years. LOJ Trustees in good standing are those who have paid a minimum of $1,000 per calendar year. At the completion of five (5) years, LOJ Trustees may renew their membership by making a $5,000 commitment, also payable over five (5) years. LOJ Trustees must maintain their LOJ status in order to be considered a LOJ Trustee.
LIFETIME TRUSTEE
Lifetime Trustees make a one-time commitment of $50,000, which may be payable over five (5) years. Lifetime Trustees in good standing are those who have paid $10,000 per calendar year. Promotion of $36,000 until 12/2022.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRUSTEE
Multi-Generational Trustees make a one-time commitment of $100,000, which may be payable over five (5) years. The original member may appoint additional family members to join them as Multi-Generational Trustees. Original Multi-Generational Trustees in good standing are those who have paid $20,000 per calendar year.
JWF TRUSTEES*
Lori Adelson
Margie Albert
Arlene Backman
Jane Basch
Terry Breitbord
Diana Charles-Atlas
Karen Dombey
Goldie Dropkin
Wandy Druss
Adrienne Frank
Laura Gordon*
Randi Grant
Agnes Gray
Sheryl Greenwald
Miriam Hershenson
Gladys Hirschman
Bette Hochberger
Marcy Hoffman
Joan Kuriansky
Carol Lasek
Denise Lettau**
Jami Levy
Audrey Meline
Elissa Mogilefsky
Robbin Newman
Karen Roberts**
Susan Samrick
Karen Saster
Stephanie Saunders
Susan Schneider
Ibby Schulman
Esther Shacket***
Nicole Shacket**
Gina Shull
Gina Stelnik
Corina Waldman(zl)
as of November 2021
Dignity Project has collected and delivered over 55,000 feminine hygiene products to girls and women in need.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Israel Bonds Women’s Division Presents Beth Kaplan
Beth Kaplan is a visionary behind many companies including: Rent the Runway, Covergirl, GNC, Rite Aid, crocs, Bath & Body Works, and more!