Why Women’s Philanthropy?
Jody Caplan, Vice President, Community Engagement
In this issue of the Women’s Philanthropy e-newsletter we ask, “Why Women’s Philanthropy?” It’s a simple question that has generated a range of responses. We have spoken with new friends and seasoned veterans and hope you’ll enjoy hearing why they choose to become and stay involved with Women’s Philanthropy.
I thank my friend, Susan Gross, for bringing me to CHOICES in 2004 and for introducing me to Women’s Philanthropy. I had never seen so many Jewish women gathered in one place at one time! I wanted to know more about what could bring together such a diverse group of women at various ages and stages. And so, I began my journey to learn more about the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest and the work we are doing.
Over the years I have had the chance to visit partner agencies both here and in Israel and have had the privilege to meet the individuals who serve our community. They are capable, innovative, passionate, thoughtful, and dedicated to improving lives. And that’s why I make a gift to Women’s Philanthropy every year — because the needs are great and the work we are supporting makes a real difference to the people we touch.
While I certainly give my time to Women’s Philanthropy because I support the mission of the organization, it’s become so much more than that for me. In my roles as a Table Hostess, Women’s Awareness Day Committee member, Borinsky AM Chair, and Vice President of Young Women, I have found friends, mentors, and role models. I have had opportunities to learn and grow in ways I could not have anticipated. The hours I share with Women’s Philanthropy are satisfying, rewarding, and an awful lot of fun. I thank you, the women of Women’s Philanthropy, and the wonderful staff for keeping me engaged and for enriching my life. It is truly my pleasure.
What’s your story? Why do you support Women’s Philanthropy? We would love to hear from you. Please send your thoughts and reactions to me at caplan973@comcast.net.
Making Time for Women’s Philanthropy
by Jane Gomez
We women are busy. We take on responsibilities that stretch far beyond our households and we derive great pleasure from filling our days with social, spiritual, and community engagements. So why add one more obligation to our already hectic, impossibly stretched time commitments? I caught up with two very busy women to get their thoughts.
For Stephanie Harris-Morgan, Women’s Philanthropy offers a community connection for her and her family. Although she always contributed financially to Federation, her commitment became more personal when she and her daughter participated in Run for Rachel as part of a mitzvah project in 2004. That year, Stephanie attended a Business and Professional women’s dinner preceding a CHOICES event, and she realized that she had an opportunity to participate in a way that could give her a greater sense of meaning. Stephanie has held numerous positions on Women’s Philanthropy committees, including chair of fundraising for Daughters of Israel, where her mother currently resides, and participation in the Allocation Committee. With all this activity, as well as a demanding profession that at times requires almost weekly travel, Stephanie finds that Women’s Philanthropy enriches her life greatly and sets an example for her daughter. “Most of all,” Stephanie adds, “I am able to move beyond making money in a man’s world to making a better world as an active member of a Jewish sisterhood.”
Sharon Nessel views her time involved with Women’s Philanthropy as a way to enrich and enhance the functioning of the other Jewish organizations to which she is committed. As a business owner and president of the Mount Freedom Jewish Center, Sharon’s life is full with teaching Hebrew, running monthly Shabbat programs, purchasing and selling Israeli and costume jewelry, and the day-to-day managing of a synagogue. When asked to sit on the WP Board, she welcomed the chance to gain exposure to issues facing the greater Jewish community so that she could bring information and knowledge back to her own synagogue. Moreover, she finds that interacting with different Jewish organizations allows us to “not only learn from each other, but we can share our strengths.” When asked about how she manages to fit WP events into her packed schedule, Sharon answered that attending WP meetings is actually a respite. “It gives me time to sit still and ponder the needs of others outside of my own community and world.”
In talking with Stephanie and Sharon, I hear echoed some of my own sentiments about why I maintain my connection to Women’s Philanthropy. Like Stephanie, I find great enrichment in connecting to like-minded women and gain enormous strength from being part of a greater community. I look forward to events such as Women’s Awareness Day and CHOICES to catch up with old friends whose lives have taken them in different directions from mine, and to reinvigorate my commitment to and understanding of our community’s developments and philosophy. Like Sharon, I am constantly learning by observing how Federation does business; I often apply my knowledge of Federation’s organizational, programming, or fund-raising efforts to my involvement with other organizations. At other times I just “recharge my batteries” by attending a presentation about the Jewish community. As always, as much as we give, we receive much, much more.