Meet Our Campaign VPs
by Jody Hurwitz Caplan
Last year the generous Women of Greater MetroWest raised $7.5 million, representing more than one third of the $21.2 million total 2016 UJA Campaign. This year we welcome three new vice presidents to lead campaign: Shira Rothschild of Livingston, Ann Leeb of South Orange, and Ruth Margolin of Westfield.
While each vice president has a unique area of responsibility, they share a common desire to educate, inspire, and thank every woman who participates in campaign. When speaking about their respective goals, their comments and passions are strikingly similar. Shira is “excited about meeting more young women… and introducing them to both the great programs we have at Women’s Philanthropy and the great women who make up this community.” Ann “wants to encourage education of where the money contributed to campaign really goes and how it makes a difference in the lives of other Jews.” Ruth “is looking forward to meeting many of our extraordinary women.” She wants “to know what interests them and what sparks their generosity” and she plans “to say ‘thank you’ to as many women as possible.”
Shira Rothschild is the new Vice President, Young Women’s Campaign. Following her participation in the Arthur Borinsky Young Leadership Development Program, she went on a National Women’s Mission to Israel where she saw Federation dollars at work. After seeing Federation’s impact first hand, both here and in Israel, she became more involved in Women’s Philanthropy. She plans “to meet more young women who are either new to Jewish Federation or are not yet involved and open their eyes to the incredible work Federation does both in our community and abroad.” In that effort, she hopes to create volunteer opportunities for young women and their children.
Ann Leeb has been involved with Jewish Federation since moving back to the area in 2000. Speaking at Women’s Awareness Day in 2011 was instrumental in getting her more involved with Women’s Philanthropy. Today she is the new Pacesetters Vice President, concentrating on outreach to women giving $1,000 and above, with a particular emphasis on Pomegranates, women making gifts of $1,800 to $4,999. Says Ann, “I look forward to reaching out to new Pomegranate level donors and making it clear that their generous gifts make a real difference to many people locally, globally, and in Israel whose names and circumstances they may never know. An amount like $1,800 or $3,600 represents a significant gift for many women, also an achievable one, and I want these women to feel appreciated for what they have contributed. Every gift is meaningful to campaign. I am a proud Pom and I see Pom level gifts at the core of campaign.”
Ruth Margolin’s introduction to Women’s Philanthropy began at the Main Event programs she attended annually at the Jewish Federation of Central NJ. From guest to table hostess to Board member, she is now Vice President, Major Gifts, where she works with Lions of Judah, women who make a gift in their own name for $5,000 and above. She says, “My task is to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity of those women who are blessed with the ability to give larger gifts.” In addition, she hopes “to encourage women to consider increasing their gifts, within their ability, to become Lions of Judah…[as] it is a women’s group well worth joining.”
Together Ann and Ruth will be initiating a step-up program to invite women who aspire to be giving at a higher level to commit to a multi-year set of pledges that bring them to their desired giving level. These women will begin to receive the benefits of that giving level from the moment they make their initial commitment.
From social gatherings to educational programs, volunteer opportunities to appreciation events, Shira, Ann, Ruth, and their teams of volunteers are planning a full campaign calendar. Ann offers, “I have found inspiration to continue as a donor and increase my gift over the years by having opportunities to meet other committed women who give generously of their time, energy, and financial resources. Then I know I am not alone in trying to support Jews in need and make the world a better place.”