Meet Our Outreach and Education VPs
by Jane Gomez
Enhancing community and enriching women’s lives are goals of Women’s Philanthropy. Involvement in the many aspects of Jewish Federation not only strengthens the greater community, but often leads to the formation of lifelong friendships and personal growth as well. Women’s Philanthropy warmly welcomes three enthusiastic women who are passionate about helping others find fulfillment in the broad and diverse fabric of our Federation: Lisa Lisser, Vice President of Education; Michele Landau, Vice President of Leadership Development; and Robin Polson, Vice President of Outreach. These vice presidents are all dedicated to providing a wide variety of opportunities for women to not only become familiar with Federation’s work throughout the world, but also for women to gain knowledge about topics germane to our community and to their lives so that they, in turn, can become more engaged in Federation.
Lisa Lisser, Vice President of Education, will again be presenting the popular Women of Wisdom education series this year. These informal get-togethers give women the chance to learn about and discuss topics ranging from Israel to Jewish learning to American Judaism. A lifelong Jewish learner, Lisa is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Religious Education at the Hebrew Union College. Her passion is bringing education to Jewish women, so she is thrilled to again offer the Women of Wisdom series, which, in its third year, has been able to reach women of all demographics in our community.
Michele Landau, Vice President of Leadership Development, oversees mini-missions to our partner agencies and the Borinsky Young Leadership Development Program – an eight-week leadership seminar that introduces women to the work of Jewish Federation. She looks forward to giving women the opportunity to experience all of the significant work that Federation is doing in our community and abroad. After attending a Young Women’s Mission to Israel last summer, Michele was inspired to become more involved in the work of Women’s Philanthropy. This year, Michele will be working diligently to provide more women with the chance to participate in mini-missions across Federation agencies, as she believes that first-hand knowledge of the breadth and depth of Federation will have a tremendous impact and spur more women to become active.
Robin Polson, Vice President of Outreach, can relate to Michele’s point about becoming inspired through first-hand awareness. As a member of the first Borinsky AM class (a morning program for women only), Robin was moved to become more involved after she learned of all the integral agencies that are “there for our Jewish community from cradle to grave and in between.” This year, Robin will be focusing on promoting collaboration between the Center for Volunteerism and Women’s Philanthropy. She is particularly excited about meeting with women throughout Federation and helping them find their passion and niche within Federation.
Although Michele, Lisa, and Robin are focusing on reaching out to women through different avenues, they all share the same desire to engage as many women as possible in the important and meaningful work of Women’s Philanthropy. Notes Michele, in a sentiment echoed by Robin and Lisa, “With every minute I give to Women’s Philanthropy, I gain even more.”