Women’s Philanthropy: Inspiring Innovation and Impact
Women are making a difference like never before. Women’s Philanthropy brings women and ideas together in shared purpose. You use your philanthropy to articulate your values and how you want to strengthen Jewish life.
We are using our collective strength to address issues central to our families and communities. As philanthropists, we are the visionaries and innovators shaping the word around us. We are role models to our children and other women, inspiring them to see the impact that philanthropy has in our community.
We welcome you to Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy. There’s a place for you here, no matter where life and career have taken you. Add your voice to this amazing community of women. Our collective philanthropy is purposeful and effective.
Engage, Travel, and Learn With Us
We offer you meaningful ways to make an impact on our Jewish community, and on your own life.
Women’s Giving: Making Your Impact
We are a community that cares for each other and supports you in your Jewish journey. How do you want to make an impact?
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Conversation
Tuesdays, October 1st, November 19th, and December 3rd
As new VP of Women’s Philanthropy, Abby Cherner will be starting a “listening tour” across our area to hear from you and get to know you better. What are you enjoying so far from Women’s Philanthropy? What questions or ideas do you have? This is open to all women giving at any level.
Register
Everything But The Turkey
Sunday, November 24th
Join Women’s Philanthropy for Edlavitch DCJCC’s annual charity event “Everything But The Turkey”. We will be preparing thousands of servings of festive Thanksgiving dishes for people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness in the Greater Washington area, in partnership with DC Central Kitchen.
Register
Pomegranate & Lion of Judah Chanukah Celebration
Thursday, December 5th
We will be joined by Federation’s Community Schlichim (Israeli emissaries), Dean Bagdadi, Laila Akselrad, and Tali Arnolf Wohgemuth, who will share highlights of their work connecting our community to Israel and Israelis, and the impact the Shlichim program is having during some of the most challenging times for the Jewish community.
Register
International Lion of Judah Conference
Sunday, January 12th – Tuesday, January 14th
Join Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy for the 2025 International Lion of Judah Conference — the largest gathering of Lions of Judah in the world — in Atlanta, Georgia. Together, we’ll celebrate our rich traditions, empower the next generation of leaders, and pave the way to a brighter future for our community.
Join the waitlist
If you are interested in getting involved, email womensphilanthropy@shalomdc.org.
Engage, Travel, and Learn With Us
We offer you meaningful ways to make an impact on our Jewish community, and on your own life.
“I relish the opportunity to learn alongside women who share my values. Through participation in our missions, both local and abroad, I have increased my understanding of Jewish history and values and made lifelong friends.”
– Abby Cherner
Overseas Missions
Experience a life changing opportunity to witness and be inspired by the role you play in supporting Jews around the country and around the world. Join other women in our community for immersive overseas experiences that energize, connect, and inspire. Tour dazzling landmarks. Explore our history; partake in culture, food, art, and innovation. Visit Jewish communities of the past and celebrate modern-day Jewish renewal in Europe, Israel, and overseas while building community. Return with new friends and a new understanding of our impact.
Local Missions
How is your annual gift changing the lives of others right in our own community? We offer opportunities for close-up looks at the work and initiatives our Jewish Federation funds with visits to our local partner agencies. You don’t need a passport to learn about how your investment with Federation is ensuring that we are making an impact locally. Spend a morning with other women and meet the change makers in our community.
Jewish Thought, Learning, and Connection
What are the pressing issues we face here and in Israel? How do we use Jewish tradition, debates, and ideas to shape those conversations? Join us at an event where we give you the skills to learn and study with other women about contemporary issues, such as Jewish identity, partisanship, and our relationship to Israel. Our events are wonderful opportunities timely discussion and to further inform our leadership and community engagement.
Women’s Giving Circles: Making Your Impact
Every gift counts. We are a community that cares for each other and supports you in your Jewish journey. How do you want to make an impact?
“I am so grateful to be part of a network of women who act on their values and invest in our community for the greatest impact.”
Your gift is your voice. By giving in your name, you are declaring what is important to you. You are building a legacy of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Pomegranate
$1,800 – $4,999
Pomegranates are women who give a gift of $1,800 – $4,999 to Federation’s Annual Campaign. We demonstrate a strong commitment to making a positive impact on Jewish life.
The pomegranate has been woven into our traditions and is said to contain 613 seeds corresponding with the commandments found in the Torah. Being a Pomegranate means you are connected to 7,700 women nationally, of which 150 are here in Greater Washington.
Lion of Judah
$5,000+
Lions symbolize the strength of Jewish women to improve the world with a financial commitment in their own name every year of $5,000 or more to Federation’s Annual Campaign. Over 17,500 women worldwide wear the Lion of Judah pin as they promote social justice, heal the sick, feed the hungry, preserve human dignity, and build Jewish identity.
A beautiful gold pin is available for purchase, and each year a woman sustains or increases her gift, she is eligible to have a small diamond set into the pin. The cost of the pin is $1,500-$1,700, depending on the price of gold. Lions can also upgrade their pins with an additional diamond every year and upgrade the stone in their Lion’s eye based on their level of giving.
There are nine giving levels within the Lion of Judah Society:
Diamond – $5,000
Ruby – $10,000
Sapphire – $18,000
Emerald – $25,000
Double Chai (Amethyst) – $36,000
Zahav (Canary) – $50,000
Sabra (Cognac) – $75,000
PMC (White Gold with Black Diamond) – $100,000
ILR (White Gold Diamond Pace) – $250,000
Each year, donors at this level are celebrated at a special appreciation event and new donors are recognized. Lions are invited to the International Lion of Judah Conference, which is held every other year.
Step-Up Lion
We invite you to “step up” to become a Lion of Judah and join nearly 400 Lions locally and over 18,000 worldwide. In this time of global uncertainty, your increased commitment plays a vital role in aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity and ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people. You will make a commitment to increase your gift to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Annual Campaign for the next two to three years, starting with a minimum gift of $1,800 for the first year and at least $5,000 for the final year. As a Step-Up Lion, you will immediately receive all the benefits of being a Lion of Judah, including purchasing and proudly wearing the Lion of Judah pin. You will also be invited to all local and national Lion of Judah events.
International Lion of Judah Conference
Every two years, Lions gather in a major city for a three-day conference that unites women from around the world. You will hear from leading speakers in the fields of religion, culture, business, and politics.
Forever Lions (Lion of Judah Endowment)
You can create an ongoing legacy, so that your fidelity to support Jewish communal life will continue for generations, by endowing your Lion gift. Establishing a Lion of Judah Endowment creates a permanent fund guaranteeing that your financial commitment of $5,000 or more continues to be made to Federation’s Annual Campaign in perpetuity. More than 3,800 women have endowed their gifts representing over $620 million in assets. Learn more.