IN THIS ISSUE: Jumpstarting METRO MADNESS • Explore our MetroWest World with Women's Philanthropy
Legacy of Leadership• Spotlight on Young Women
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, January 21 METRO MADNESS
Benefitting the 2009 UJA Campaign
Speaker: Jim Cramer
6:00 p.m.
Hilton Parsippany
Wednesday, January 28 Politics, Power and Jewish Women
How-To Training Program
sponsored by CRC
8:30 a.m.
Aidekman Campus, Whippany
Thursday, February 5
Jewish Women’s Journey & Tu B’Shevat Seder
9:00 a.m.
Private Home in Livingston
Saturday, February 7 Untucked: Vanguard Country Club Event and Dinner Dance
7:30 p.m.
Crestmont Country Club, West Orange
Thursday, March 12
Cohn Award Dinner
Honoring Mike Davis and Anna Fisch
7:00 p.m.
B'nai Jeshurun, Short Hills
Thursday, March 26
Young Women’s Spring Event
7:00 p.m.
Aidekman Campus, Whippany
Barbara Greenfield
Marla Wexler
Editors
Gayle Wieseneck
Community Awareness Vice President
Leslie Dannin Rosenthal
Women's Campaign Chair
Paula Saginaw
Women's Philanthropy President
"A good leader is one who takes the first step so that others can follow. A great leader ensures that others are prepared to follow, so that the change they have created is meaningful and enduring."
This was the theme of one of the break-out sessions I attended at the recent International Lion of Judah Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, where more than 1,000 women gathered together to learn, be energized, and gain inspiration from amazing women who have left their mark in glorious ways.
One such woman was Brigadier General Ruth Yaron, born in Nigeria with a dream of becoming a career diplomat in the Israeli Foreign Service. She eventually became the first woman to hold the job of IDF chief spokesperson as well as the first woman member of the Israeli Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Another remarkable leader is Dr. Nigist Mengesha, who emigrated from Ethiopia in 1984 after a treacherous journey through Sudan. She has attained astounding accomplishments culminating in earning an MSW from Hebrew University and a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Sussex.
We were so proud to honor two of our own MetroWest leaders who have been inspirations to many of us. Rita Waldor received the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award for outstanding achievement in philanthropy, and Anna Fisch was recognized for her work in MetroWest with the National Young Leadership award. Both of these women truly embody John Quincy Adams' definition of leadership: "If your actions inspire others to do more, learn more, then you are a leader."
Here in MetroWest, we have a rich heritage of leaders. Members of our Lifetime Leadership Council, composed of past presidents and past campaign chairs of Women’s Philanthropy, continue to play important roles in our community. At our most recent gathering, these women wrote messages to future leaders — words of wisdom that collectively will serve as a legacy of leadership for the next generation.
Speaking of the next generation, Women's Philanthropy is excited to have launched a four-part Leadership Power Series for future top leaders. This program will further prepare established leaders within our organization to assume the helm and continue the important work we do.
Our community is blessed with strong, committed women, each a leader in her own right, who light the way for others to follow. As we celebrate Hannukah in the weeks ahead, may we also celebrate the legacy of our leadership, and remember that the true spark lies within the heart and soul of all of us. We must learn to kindle our inner spiritual light and follow that light wherever it leads us.
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Directions to Aidekman Campus