Leading Community and Inspiring Change
Women’s Philanthropy
Leading Community and Inspiring Change
Women’s Philanthropy of the Buffalo Jewish Federation is a network of compassionate and committed volunteers who inspire and empower each other to be change makers and community shapers. We are sisters and daughters, mothers and friends, women at every stage of life and career.
Inspired and guided by our tradition of tzedakah (righteousness/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), Women’s Philanthropy is dedicated to the continuity, connectivity and thriving future of our Buffalo Jewish community, Israel and the Jewish people. This is attained through our three pillars: philanthropy, social action, and education.
Women’s Philanthropy is about more than just the Annual Campaign. It’s 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 and fostering a commitment to philanthropy. It’s about having an impact.
Come join us and meet like-minded women who make a difference.
Getting Involved
As Jewish Women, we share common bonds, values and passions. Through our donations and hands-on volunteering, we take our place as leaders, change-makers, and community shapers.
Throughout the year, Women’s Philanthropy offers a variety of dynamic learning and social opportunities to grow as individuals and form connections with one another. Participate in what inspires you!
Upcoming Women’s Philanthropy Events
Virtually Limitless: Our Shared Shelf Book and Author Series
Dignity Grows™ is an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and supported by National Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federations of North America to provide individuals in need with essential personal hygiene products so they can attend school and work and participate in community life without interruption.
Every month, some of our neighbors feel a sense of helplessness and embarrassment because they lack basic necessities. These feelings of shame have consequences. Girls stay home from school during their periods and miss critical learning time. Women miss work, which can lead to lost wages. This further compounds the cycle of poverty.
For as little as $10, you can donate a Dignity Tote, which includes a one-month supply of sanitary products, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant to a neighbor in need helping her to be more productive while safeguarding her dignity.
For more information, contact Stacey Block, Director of Donor Experience, stacey@buffalojewishfederation.org | 716.463.5053
Campaign Giving
A gift in any amount to the Campaign for Jewish Buffalo helps change lives around the world. We encourage you to give a gift you feel comfortable with. Many women choose to give at the following levels:
Pomegranate Society: $1800 - $4999
The pomegranate is a symbol of a woman’s commitment to the Jewish people, based on the 613 seeds in a pomegranate fruit which symbolize the Torah’s 613 mitzvot, and a symbol of her financial commitment of at least $1,800 to the Buffalo Jewish Federations Annual Campaign.
The Pomegranate pin was introduced in Lehigh Valley in 1981 by Sybil Baiman and Jeanette Eichenwald. It is a reflection of the fruitfulness and abundance of Women’s Philanthropy. These dedicated women are role models in our community and continue to demonstrate that together we can affect change.
7000 pomegranate members across North America
Lion of Judah: $5000+
The Lion of Judah is a symbol of today’s Jewish Woman’s strength, a symbol of her caring about the organized Jewish world and a symbol of her financial commitment of at least $5,000 in their own name to the Buffalo Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign
Created in 1972 in Miami by Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland, the Lion of Judah program has brought together women of all ages and from many walks of life in order to play an essential role in creating social justice, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, preserving human dignity, and building Jewish identity.
17,000 Lion of Judah members world-wide
Lion of Judah Endowment
Some women choose to endow their Lion of Judah gift. When you create a Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE), you enable future generations to benefit from your values, interests, foresight and generosity.
3,600 Lion of Judah Endowments world-wide
Meet Our Leaders
Women’s Philanthropy Chair: Joni Shatkin
Committee Members:
Lion of Judah Chairs: Dina Benderson, Ellen Rich, Julie Weinberg
Pomegranate Chairs: Jessica Altman, Gretchen Gross, Viola Sterman
Social Action/Dignity Grows Chair: Nina Lukin
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