A Year of Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
By Lisa Freedman | Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta Trustee
“Sugar and spice and everything nice” is what many say little girls are made of. And “a sweet new year” is what we all wish one another at the onset of Rosh Hashanah.
Of course, we know there is so much more to girls than sugar and spice. And, unfortunately, for many this year will not always be so sweet.
But what if you could be a part of something that strives to help Jewish women and girls reach their full potential and live sweeter lives?
That is the mission of the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta through effective grant making, advocacy and education. Our mantra is to “Invest in Solutions, Collaborate for Success and Ignite Social Change!”
Through participation in the JWFA, trustees are empowered to be leaders, philanthropists and decision-makers.
The JWFA recently completed its 2014-2015 grant cycle, in which we were able to provide over $100,000 in grants to 15 beneficiary organizations in Atlanta and Israel. What an impactful, sweeter difference we plan to make in the lives of many Jewish women and girls just in time for this Jewish new year!
Through our collective grant making, this forthcoming year will be a better one for:
- Women in Atlanta seeking last-dollar loans to obtain postsecondary degrees to improve the lives of themselves and their families.
- Women in Israel trying desperately to obtain a get from an abusive husband.
- School-age girls in Atlanta learning to be effective, assertive leaders without the fear of being called “bossy.”
- Low income women receiving technological training to qualify for higher-paying jobs.
- Young Israeli women provided the tools, skills and strategies to secure more meaningful jobs in the Israel Defense Forces.
- Teenage and college students in Atlanta and at the University of Georgia empowered to make healthy relationship choices against dating violence and sexual assault.
- Middle and high school girls afforded both pre-college career counseling and scholastic excellence programs in science, math and technology.
And that’s just to name a few of the groups of women and girls whose lives we hope to touch for the better in a meaningful and sustainable way this year.
Right now, as we work to kick off our next grant cycle, we are planning an event open to all Jewish women in the community at no cost. Please join us on Monday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Selig Center for our educational seminar, “Take Your Seat at the Table: A Jewish Woman’s Guide to Financial Empowerment and Protection.”
This is a tremendous opportunity not only to learn more about the importance of engaging in the financial planning for you and your family, but also to learn more about the JWFA and our diverse and dynamic group of women serving as trustees.
To learn more about the JWFA, the educational seminar Oct. 26, or any of the grants referenced above, please reach out to our executive director, Rachel Wasserman, at 678-222-3716, and check us out at www.jewishatlanta.org/jwfa.
The JWFA is a proud philanthropic partner of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
On behalf of the JWFA’s approximately 90 female trustees, we wish all in our greater Atlanta Jewish community a shana tova u’metuka. In 5776, may we see a world where all women and girls in the Jewish community are ensured a healthy and supportive environment and with equal opportunity for achievement. And may we take all opportunities to do our part to help make it happen.
comments