10/16/2025
Sarah Hurwitz, Julie Platt to Headline Federation Women‘s Event; Susan Reis to Receive Zehman Volunteer Award
Over 400 people attend the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Women IN Philanthropy MaIN Event on Nov. 21 at Green Road Synagogue in Beachwood. CJN Photo / Kirsten Beard
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News.
by Ellie Evans
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host author Sarah Hurwitz at its annual Women IN Philanthropy MaIN Event at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Green Road Synagogue at 2437 S. Green Road in Beachwood in support of the 2026 Campaign for Jewish Needs.
Hurwitz
Hurwitz, who earned degrees from both Harvard College and Harvard Law School and worked as a White House speechwriter for about eight years, wrote the recently-published book, “As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us,” which explores living and identifying as a Jewish person during a time where antisemitism is on the rise.
Hurwitz said in an email to the Cleveland Jewish News she plans to discuss some of the themes of this book. Each attendee will receive a copy of the book.
“I think this book gives people tools and insights to better understand the antisemitism we’re seeing in America right now, and also reveals how antisemitism in both the past and present has shaped our identities as Jews in ways we’re often not conscious of,” Hurwitz said. “It also provides thoughts on how we move forward at this moment and cultivate rich Jewish lives and communities.”
Hurwitz said her background in political speech writing has helped her tackle and explore Jewish life in the ways she has in both “as a Jew,” and her other book, “Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There),” which was a finalist for two National Jewish Book Awards and for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature.
Platt
“Political speech writing is often about translating complex policy ideas into accessible, relatable language that meets people where they are,” she said. “I think my background in speech writing has helped me share the richness of Jewish tradition in a way that conveys its complexity but is also engaging, conversational and fun to read.”
Hurwitz also said in light of the recent return of the remaining Israeli hostages of war, she will “certainly be mentioning this extraordinarily joyous news” in her remarks at the event.
“I can say that I am overjoyed, relieved and grateful beyond measure to have our hostages home,” she said.
Hurwitz is one of two special guests who share a goal of bringing the community together to discuss modern Jewish life and its roots in tradition.
Reis
Julie Platt, immediate past chair of the board of trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America and past chair of the board of directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Foundation for Jewish Camp, will speak about rising antisemitism and other topics.
The Federation will honor Susan Reis, a volunteer involved in many organizations including NCJW/CLE, with the 2025 Irene Zehman Volunteer Award at the event.
Guests will have the opportunity to make their commitment to the 2026 campaign at the event.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., followed by a welcome reception at 6:15.
The event costs $54 per person. To register, visit bit.ly/3KNwAoZ.
