250+ Attend Inaugural Signature Event

We are inspired! Lion of Judah, Pomegranate, and Ben-Gurion Society Donors filled the beautifully renovated Temple-Tifereth Israel to celebrate philanthropy and the power of women to make a difference through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

View photos from the event on Facebook.>>

"There's nothing off limits for women," said featured speaker Nancy Spielberg, accomplished filmmaker and philanthropist, whose documentaries with Jewish themes have gained worldwide acclaim.

Her recent film Above and Beyond is about the bravery of men. In making the film, she was challenged to consider how her all-women creative team would produce this documentary.

Her response: "Just because this is a male topic doesn't mean it's off limits," she said. "When we reached out to men, the opened up because we were women. It shows the power of women, and I see that power in this room tonight."

Jewish Clevelander Michelle Hirsch shared her personal, powerful Federation story about her experience meeting a quiet man named Howard who needed our support. "To me, there is no better case for federated giving. I will never know all the Howards, but Federation does. They know about every need in our local community, in Israel, and overseas. Whether it's mental disabilities, struggles to find shelter, food, or safety – the Federation responds."

Mazel Tov to Shari S. Perlmuter, recipient of the prestigious Ruby Bass Award. Shari was honored for her lifelong passion for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and commitment to the Women's Campaign. She shared a motto she lives by, "Live your life so your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful, you also acted on it."

Thank you to Women's Philanthropy Chair Jennifer Korach, Lion of Judah Chairs Beth Wain Brandon, Margaret Richards Frankel, Michelle Hirsch, and Susan Rubin, Pomegranate Society Chairs Mindy Davidson and Cindy Duber, and Women's Philanthropy Campaign Chairs Adrienne Goldberg and Danielle Wild, and our wonderful host committee.

And, thank you to all of our guests for joining us – it was a night to remember!


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