BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (From Jewish Federation) — The Jewish Women’s Foundation (JWF) of South Palm Beach County invites the community to share their success with a remarkable opportunity to hear Sharon Tal of Maskit – The Israeli Fashion House at their 2015 Granting Wishes Cocktail Reception on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at Boca Rio Golf Club, 22041 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton. Both new and prized vintage Maskit fashions will be on display. Guests will also be the first to learn JWF’s 2015 grant awards.
Wishes are granted by JWF Trustees through a highly judicious process to fund programs that create social change.” Committed to engage, envision and empower, this impressive, forward-thinking group’s hands-on, dollars and sense philanthropy awarded over $170,000 in 2014 to fund non-profit programs that change the lives of Jewish women and children locally and internationally.
In little more than a decade, our local JWF has awarded more than $750,000 to fund programs that exponentially raise women’s and children’s abilities, education and independence locally and globally, in categories including education, health and abuse prevention and economic security. And these dollars are all donations from the JWF donors, called Trustees, who contribute a minimum of $2,000 per year for five years and, together, determine the projects to be funded.
“We are delighted to have internationally renowned and respected head clothing designer, Sharon Tal, from Maskit – The Israeli Fashion House as our 2015 Granting Wishes guest speaker,” said Roseanne Kadis, who is co-chairing the evening with Rosalyn Silver. “Tal is exceptionally accomplished in her career as a young designer. Formerly head designer of embroideries for Alexander McQueen, today she is reviving the Maskit brand and changing the landscape of fashion in Israel.”
“What’s so appealing to our JWF are the substance and history behind Maskit,” continued Kadis. “Maskit was founded in 1945 by Ruth Dayan, the wife of Moshe Dayan. Ruth was determined to empower women and aid impoverished immigrants by employing them to design and produce authentic arts and crafts. Maskit is in strong alignment with JWF’s vision to empower, engage and envision women worldwide.” (see additional information about Maskit below)
“The Jewish Women’s Foundation provides an opportunity for each Trustee to gain a global perspective on what needs to be done to elevate women and children in need,” said Alice Kemper, Chair of the Jewish Women’s Foundation and a Trustee since 2006. “This interactive and hands-on decision making enables each Trustee to build on her resume, education and experience to understand and impact the world as we know it, and to be active in social change. Each Trustee is equal in her ability to contribute financially, provide stewardship, and vote to determine grant allocation. With equal voice, we are funding actionable, measurable programs to improve the lives of Jewish women and children. And JWF is continually growing in numbers of Trustees, dollars granted and outreach.”
Of the nine grants JWF funded in 2014, six were to international organizations and three were allocated locally. One of the international grants, Kol Israel Haverim, encourages young women toward science, technology and engineering; they partner with Intel and their women engineers so these young women see that they may one day “crack the glass ceiling.” The local March of the Living: From March to Miriam grant partners teenagers with adult March alumna and a Holocaust survivor. They call their partner survivor each Shabbat, attend community outings together, find common interests, build personal connections and learn from these special aging seniors.
Kemper appreciates the far-reaching, rewarding impact that programs like these bring to recipients. “Here we are in Boca Raton Florida impacting the world,” she said. “These grants are just two examples of the proactive initiatives JWF supports.”
“I am very proud to be part of JWF,” said Granting Wishes Co-chair Rosalyn Silver. “Reading grants, researching organizations, round table discussions are all part of the skill building that make JWF so empowering and enhancing for the Trustees. Everyone comes to JWF with their talents and collaborates as part of a hands-on, interactive group. We come away as stronger, better-informed women who are able to improve the lives of others.”
“JWF enables me to have the privilege to make significant change through the collaboration of decision making among the Trustees,” continued Silver. “I enjoy the camaraderie of the Trustees as we make these funding choices, and help others change their lives and realize their dreams.”
The Granting Wishes event includes hors d’oeuvres, food stations, desserts, wine and soft drinks, with dietary laws observed. The couvert is $85 per person, and all are welcome to attend. To register, and for information about the event or about becoming a JWF Trustee, visitjewishboca.org/grantingwishes or contact Lisbeth Rock Cauff at 561.852.3188 or lisbethc@bocafed.org.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
