An Affiliate of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Charlotte
Vol. 40, No. 3
Adar-Nisan 5778
March 2018
Women’s Philanthropy: How We Connect. How We Give. How
We Make a Difference
Women philanthropists are the
ehange-makers and eommunity-
shapers of the world. We are sis
ters and daughters, mothers and
friends, eompassionate and eom-
mitted women at every stage of
life and eareer.
Federation’s Women’s Philan
thropy engages Jewish women in
the fulfilling work of making the
world a better plaee. We are build
ing and supporting Jewish life for
today and for generations to eome.
The Power of Women: Philan
thropy and Tzedakah
Thursday, March 8, doors open
at 7 PM; program starts at 7:30
PM; Ballantyne Resort; Lavish
Dessert Reception
We invite you to join us for our
inaugural Women’s Philanthropy
Spring Event, the Power of
Women: Philanthropy, and
Tzedakah. The event eelebrates
the power of women philanthro
pists and their impaet on the
world. Co-Chaired by Jill Halver-
stam and Debbie Porter, the event
features Laura Schroff, former
media exeeutive and international
and #1 New York Times best
selling author. Laura is a passion
ate and eompelling voiee on the
power of small aets of kindness.
In her book. An Invisible Thread,
Laura reeounts the inspiring true
story of an 11-year-old panhan
dler, a busy sales exeeutive, and
their unlikely meeting in 1986,
and how both of their lives were
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ehased online at www.jew-
isheharlotte.org.
For more information eon-
taet Tair Giudiee, Direetor of
Edueation and Engagement,
tair. giudiee @jewishehar-
lotte.org or 704- 944-6759.
Laura Schroff
ehanged by what began as one
small gesture of kindness.
After its launeh in November
2011, Invisible Thread was on
the New York Times bestseller list
for over 38 weeks and was the re-
eipient of many awards. Sehroff,
who has spoken at over 100
events, eneourages her audienees
to look for their own “invisible
thread” eonneetions and high
lights the importanee of opening
up themselves to opportunities
where they can make a difference
in the lives of others.
We encourage you to get to
know our community a bit better
and help make a difference getting
more involved with our Women’s
Philanthropy initiative.
A $ 180 minimum women’s gift
to the Federation’s annual cam
paign is required to attend this
event.
Tickets are $36 and can be pur-
The Power of Women: Literacy
and Tikkun Olam
On Tuesday, January 30 the
Jewish Federation held its first
women’s philanthropy social ac
tion program. The program was
co-chaired by Lisa Straus Levin
son and Marisa Zeibert and fo
cused on promoting literacy and
addressing the reading crisis in
our schools.
Lisa Strause Levinson is a na
tive Charlottean and has been an
elementary school teacher for
more than 30 years. Lisa has wit
nessed the evolution of our city
and the Jewish community. “I re
cently returned to Charlotte after
living in Columbia for seven
years,” said Strause Levinson. “I
was looking to reconnect with the
community I so dearly love and I
knew this was a perfect fit -
Women and Philanthropy. It is a
great way for us as women leaders
to make decisions and have an im
wp
^WOMEN’sH
PHILANTHROPY
pact on our Jewish community
and greater Charlotte commu
nity.”
Regarding her personal con
nection to the program, Zeibert
added: “I became involved in
the Federation’s Women’s Phi
lanthropy because I appreciate
both the opportunity and the
challenge to make an impact
beyond my dollars, on behalf
of an organization that reminds
me not only who I am, but mo
tivates me to take strides to
wards who I want to become.”
Zeibert continued to reflect
when she said, “While we all
align with the same chief fun
damental goals that define Fed
eration - let’s face it - everyone
may have a slightly different Fed
eration chemistry or algorithm as
it relates to engaging authentically
with some events over others.
That is why our Women’s Philan
thropy initiative is presenting
women with multiple opportuni
ties to connect, make a difference,
and give. Our fall kickoff event
was a huge success and allowed
us to connect and be inspired by
stories of women empowerment
and entrepreneurship in Israel.”
This past January was our op
portunity to make a difference, but
also bring attention to an educa
tional crisis right here in our
beloved Queen City, and also
across the state and throughout the
country. Today, only 39% of Char
lotte’s 3rd graders are reading at
grade level. Thirty-nine percent!
Third grade reading proficiency is
a super strong indicator of high
school graduation rates, with a
staggering 96% graduating on
CAROLINA
FACIAL PLASTICS
Donated PJ Library books and bags for
Sterling and Huntingtowne.
time if they are reading profi
ciently at 3rd grade.
After hearing from representa
tives from Read Charlotte, a com
munity initiative charged with
doubling reading proficiency in
Charlotte, the group divided into
two groups to visit Huntingtowne
Farms and Sterling Elementary
schools. The women had a chance
to hear from the assistant principal
in the schools and then visit each
of the 2nd grade classrooms. The
women then read to the students
and handed each student a book
bag, donated by PJ Library, a na
tional program which aims to pro
mote Jewish literacy by sending
free Jewish books to Jewish fam
ilies across the world every
month. PJ Library in Charlotte is
funded by Liz and Brad Winer and
the Jewish Federation. The day
turned into an inspirational event
felt by both the women and stu
dents involved. We hope you will
join us at our next event on March
8 and continue to be inspired. ^
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Want to learn more about the Jewish
Federation, who we are and what we do?
See the insert inside this issue.
DONATE. VOLUNTEER. MAKE
A DIFFERENCE.
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Of GflEATER CHARLOTTE