Women's Philanthropy

Upcoming Event

5th Annual Shower Our
Community with Love
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
@ the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School

Join Women’s Philanthropy for the 5th Annual Shower Our Community with Love event on Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00 pm located at the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School (348 South Mason Road St. Louis, MO 63141). We will participate in projects that benefit multiple generations- both here in our backyard and in Israel. Projects this year include:

  • Packing basic care packages for families in need at the JCC Early Childhood Center
  • Making blankets for participants at the JCC Adult Day Services Program
  • Crafting bracelets for displaced girls who are part of the Orr Shalom residential program in Israel

Admission: $10.

We would appreciate the following donations at the door:

  • Diapers (sizes 1-6), Wipes, Diaper Cream, Swim Diapers (S, M, L),
  • Pull-Ups (2T-5T), Baby Soap/Lotion, Jarred Baby Food,
  • Toddler Snacks, Infant Formula, Infant Sunscreen, Sippy Cups,
  • Baby Bottles, $10 Gift Cards to Babies R’ Us

RSVP BY APRIL 10 - Click here
Dessert and wine will be served (Dietary laws observed)

For more information: 314-442-3806 or jlitwack@jfedstl.org

SAVE THE DATE
2013 Lion of Judah Event
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
At a private home, location on invitation.

Adult children & sisters are welcome to attend.

Click to RSVP online!

About Anne E. Heyman, esq.
A native of South Africa, Anne Heyman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1982 and from the George Washington School of Law in 1986. After two years in private practice, Anne went to work for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where she worked until she had her third child.
 
Since leaving the District Attorney’s office, Anne has been actively engaged in philanthropic work both in and outside the United States. Her role as former President of the Board of Directors of Dorot reflects her ongoing commitment to the many needs of the homebound and homeless elderly. Her dedication to and work with the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, Young Judaea, Tufts University Hillel, University of Pennsylvania Hillel and the Jewish Community Centers of America show how important Jewish youth and continuity are to her and her family’s foundation, of which she is the Director.

Anne is most passionate about the notion of Tikkun Olam, the Jewish obligation to repair the world.  In this vein, she established the “Moral Voices” Program at Tufts University, University of Pennsylvania and Brown University, designed to inspire college youth to action. From active engagement in genocide prevention to educational programs in Israel to Rwanda, where she has spearheaded the creation of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, Anne’s commitment to improving the lives of others is unwavering. Anne’s inspiring story has appeared in numerous publications, including two recent books, The Art of Doing Good by Charles Bronfman and Jeffrey Solomon and Act Three by Julie Shifman. 
 
Anne is an avid equestrian and competitive show jumper. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and their three children.

Minimum family contribution of $5,000 to Jewish Federation's
2013 Annual Community Campaign is required. 

Our Mission

The mission of Women’s Philanthropy (formerly Women’s Connection) is to bring women in the St. Louis community together to demonstrate the impact of women’s philanthropy and leadership.

We provide an opportunity for every woman in the St. Louis Jewish community to affirm her Jewish identity and inspire other Jewish women to establish themselves as partners in our community.  Women’s Philanthropy programming will be ongoing throughout the year and will provide opportunities for leadership and giving.

Recent Events

Come Hang with Alison
January 2013
Women’s Philanthropy held an Open Board Meeting including appetizers, wine and dessert, with special guest speaker Alison Lebovitz. Alison is a humor columnist, author, Co-Chair Designate of National Young Leadership Cabinet of Jewish Federations of North America and board member of the United Way of Chattanooga, TN. She is also President of "One Clip at a Time," which inspired the “Paper Clip Project."

Alison shared personal philanthropic stories steeped in Jewish values with both humor and sensitivity. Her remarks were a reminder to the 38 attendees of the impact women can have as both individuals and part of the collective.

Following Alison’s remarks, Heidi Silberman, Campaign Chair of Women’s Philanthropy, asked the group to support the 2013 Community Campaign by choosing from a "menu" of commitments for the coming year. See Photos.

The History of Women's
Involvement in Jewish Federation

The Jewish Federation of St. Louis was founded in 1901. In 1948, Federation established a Women’s Division to help strengthen women’s philanthropy by encouraging women to give their own gift to the Jewish community & help develop them into high-level leaders who could hold top leadership roles in the Jewish Community. 

In 1987, the Business & Professional Women’s group was formed specifically to reach out to working women in the St. Louis Jewish community and provide them with leadership development and networking.  

In 2005, leaders from Women’s Division and Business & Professional Women groups realized there is far more strength in women working together to achieve philanthropic goals and leadership roles.  They wanted one clear voice in the community for all to hear, thus Women’s Connection was formed.

In fall of 2011, a task force of past leadership met to discuss a name change from Women’s Connection to Women’s Philanthropy.  The task force felt the name Women’s Philanthropy was more aligned with our national umbrella, National Women’s Philanthropy, and equally important  Women’s Philanthropy of St. Louis really tells the community who we are, what our mission is, and elevates the work we do. This name Women's Philanthropy was presented to the Women’s Connection Board in January 2012 and henceforth the name change was made.

What Women's Philanthropy Can do for You

The Women's Philanthropy provides an opportunity for every woman to affirm her Jewish identity, connect with each other and inspire other Jewish women to establish themselves as full partners in our St. Louis Jewish community.  As a place for women of all ages, backgrounds, interests, lifestyles and income levels,  Women’s Philanthropy supports and enhances Jewish community life in St. Louis and Israel through fundraising efforts and leadership development.
 

Why Women’s Philanthropy

As women increase their share of authority over America's wealth, Jewish women in particular are setting the standards for creative philanthropic giving and commitment to future generations.  In 2005, women in the St. Louis Jewish community contributed more than $2.5 million dollars in their own names to Jewish Federation’s $10.6 million annual community campaign.

Women’s Giving Societies

Please Click here for more information.

Have Questions?

We are always happy to hear from you! 
If you need information or want to get involved, please contact...

Lynn Harris at (314) 442-3729 or lharris@jfedstl.org

 

See our complete list of sponsors

Top 10 Reasons to Give a Gift in Your Own Name

  1. A separate donation gives you your own identity, distinct and independent from your husband, companion or family.

  2. There is strength in women working together to achieve financial and leadership roles which demonstrates our power to the community.

  3. Women are knowledgeable philanthropists who understand how to exercise their power to make a difference through giving.

  4. Money is influence; it gives you a voice and a place at the table.

  5. Women's giving is fiscal evidence of the influence women exert as full partners and decision makers in the family, the community, and nation building.

  6. Women can impact Jewish political power. US Government leaders count the number of givers when they measure support for Israel and local communities.

  7. Women inspire others to translate their caring into giving that makes a difference.

  8. Increasing women's campaigns demonstrate women's leadership. Women's giving is the launching pad for future Tikkun Olam.

  9. Women's giving demonstrates dedication to, and acceptance of, responsibility for the needs of the global Jewish community.

  10. Women have an obligation to practice tzedakah; no one can perform a mitzvah in another's name.

As women are achieving parity with men in courtrooms, boardrooms and operating rooms, so must they assume equal responsibility with men for saving, sustaining and enriching Jewish lives.  By giving as individuals, women can stand up and truly be counted.  When women work together as partners they can achieve much more than any one woman can do alone!