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More than 150 Greater MetroWest women philanthropists came together on Wednesday, May 30 to celebrate another successful year of Women’s Philanthropy and to honor outgoing president Rebecca A. Gold. Participants enjoyed a delicious breakfast and entertainment by the J Street Band from JESPY House. Event chairs Shari Bernstein and Michele Landau welcomed everyone to the event and seniors from the Golda Och Academy Golden Ochtaves led us in the anthems.
After greetings from Federation president Scott Krieger, the loving tribute to Rebecca began with words from speaker Cindy Chazan, who spoke about the unique qualities that women bring to leadership positions, and about how Rebecca embodies those qualities of inclusion, “athletic listening,” and linking involvement to giving, just to name a few. Other touching tributes included words by Rebecca’s mother, Deborah Brody, and Rebecca’s husband, Mitchell Gold; a poem presented by Ellen Goldner, Anna Fisch, and Terri Friedman; and an adorable adaptation of the song “Matchmaker,” called “Rebecca,” by the outgoing vice presidents. Rebecca thanked her leadership team, her family, the professional staff, and the entire Women’s Philanthropy community for their support over the past two years, “among the most fulfilling years of my life,” she noted.
It was an Annual Meeting, so we did take care of some business. Rebecca gave her final Campaign report, announcing that we were on course to have the first “up” General Campaign in nearly ten years, having already raised $6.3 million, including 29 new and recovered Lion of Judah gifts, a 30 percent card-for-card increase in Young Women’s gifts, 200 new donors, and 4 new Lion of Judah endowments. Nominating Committee Chair Joan Schiffer Levinson welcomed incoming Women’s Philanthropy officers and Board members and recognized outgoing Board members. Finally, Rebecca passed the gavel to incoming president Jody Hurwitz Caplan, who spoke of our responsibility for caring for all the Jews of the world and of her commitment to putting the values and priorities of herself and Federation into action.