By Heidi Gantwerk
SAN DIEGO — As we near the end of Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable contributions of Jewish women to our community. For nearly 90 years, Jewish Federation of San Diego has been a beacon of hope, a force for good, and a pillar of support for the Jewish community – both locally and across the globe.
And, as I was so poignantly reminded during our Lion of Judah Luncheon just a few weeks ago, much of this work is a direct result of the passion and leadership of San Diego’s Jewish matriarchs and the generations of women who followed.
However, in recent times, our world has undergone significant shifts, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Jewish life. The landscape we navigate today is fraught with rising anti-Zionism, exacerbated by the aftermath of war in Israel. Hostility in educational institutions and threats to our Jewish identity persist, manifesting as antisemitic incidents across our region.
Yet, amid these trials, we continue to see an inspiring surge of unity and engagement within our community. This juncture demands our attention and action – for our local Jewish life, the broader Jewish community, and our Federation.
In response to these challenges, our Federation has redoubled its efforts to support Israel and safeguard Jewish interests. From enhancing community security to promoting mental wellness and resilience among our youth, our initiatives seek to fortify the fabric of our community. Moreover, our commitment extends globally, exemplified by our robust support for our Israeli sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev, and our enduring partnership of over 25 years.
As the first woman CEO of our Federation, and a Lion of Judah myself, I am immensely proud of the pivotal role that women play in shaping these endeavors. Women like this year’s Anne Ratner Award for Distinguished Leadership winner, Theresa Dupuis; San Diego’s two most recent Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award recipients, Lori Polin and Jessica Effress; Pauline & Stanley Foster Young Leadership Award recipient Shoshannah Hart; Michael Jeser Outstanding Professional Award winner Kesha Dorsey; and countless, countless others.
The Lion of Judah society, a testament to women’s leadership in Jewish philanthropy, traces its roots back to the vision of trailblazers like Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland in the early 1970s. Their foresight in establishing a platform for women’s financial commitment within the national Federation system has propelled generations of women to effect tangible change.
The Lion of Judah’s inception coincided with a tumultuous period for global Jewry, marked by a mass exodus of Jews fleeing the Soviet Union after decades of oppression. The symbolic $5,000 donation, then equivalent to the cost of relocating a Jewish family of four to the U.S. or Israel, epitomized the transformative power of collective action. Today, the impact of this initiative reverberates worldwide, with nearly 18,000 women contributing over a billion dollars over the last 50 years to support Jewish communities globally.
Here in San Diego, our Women’s Philanthropy community raises more than one-third of the funds directed toward Federation’s Annual Campaign each year – a testament to the unwavering dedication of our women. And, in the past two years alone, we have welcomed 100 new Lions of Judah, doubling our local society’s ranks and amplifying its collective impact. This historic expansion underscores our community’s resilience and commitment to safeguarding Jewish values.
As we honor the legacy of our founding matriarchs, let us reaffirm our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our community. Together, as women, I know that we possess the power to shape a future where Jewish life flourishes – from generation to generation. I hope you will join me in embracing this responsibility with courage and conviction, ensuring that our impact endures for another 90 years and beyond.
*
As president and CEO of Jewish Federation of San Diego, Heidi Gantwerk oversees the nearly 90-year-old nonprofit in its mission to broaden and deepen engagement in Jewish life, strengthen Jewish identity, foster dynamic connections with Israel, and care for all Jews in need. Federation also serves as a primary convener of the San Diego Jewish community – mobilizing the community’s resources, leaders, and organizations to address the community’s most critical needs, creating profound impact locally, in Israel, and around the world. To learn more, visit jewishinsandiego.org
.