At our recent Power of One event, we showcased a video that profiled local and overseas female leaders. Their work has not only impacted, individuals, families and communities, it’s had a positive effect on creating broad and systematic social change. Hear their first-hand accounts of how pursuing their passion has led them to not only to a rewarding career, but a better life.

Women leading change in the Bay Area

Deborah Newbrun has worked in the Jewish community for almost her entire career — 26 years of which had been running Camp Tawonga. Today, as Bay Area Director of Hazon, she has great aspirations to make Hazon the largest Jewish environmental organization in the country.

Abby Porth was raised with the motto “if you want to get things done, make sure you’ve got a woman behind the task.” For the past 13 years, Abby has been the Associate Director at the Jewish Community Relations Council and has yet to experience a boring day at the office.

Even when she was a teenager, Judy Wolff-Bolton felt JCCs were actually a perfect match for her. Connecting her Jewish soul with her professional skills, for the past 10 years, she has led the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center as its Executive Director.

A native of Chicago, Abby Snay began her career in the Bay Area as a part time counselor with Jewish Vocational Services 36 years ago and, as its Executive Director today, is credited for JVS’s successful growth and exponential impact.

Women leading change in Israel

Chen Abrahams is a resident of Kibbutz Sderot and lives minutes away from the Gaza border. She is the Resource Development Director of the Gvanim Association which is dedicated to providing services for disadvantaged populations in the Negev and all of Israel. When asked about her mission regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Abrahams replies, “To show you my life. To tell you of my son. To share we are both wrong and that together we can make it work… that’s why I do what I do.”

Dyonna Ginsburg was born into a Zionist family in Long Island. Raised by a Conservative Rabbi and a social worker, she made Aliyah to Israel seven years ago after completing her B.A. in Political Science at Columbia University. Ginsburg is the Executive Director of Federation funded Bema’aglei Tzedek, a non-profit that utilizes Jewish texts and traditions to empower and educate future generations of Israel – cultivating positive leadership and social justice among Israeli youth.

Yuvi Tashome was part of Operation Moses when she was just five years old, making the long journey to Israel from Ethiopia. She has since dedicated her life to education and social action in Israel, from her Education Corps service in the IDF, to her founding Friends by Nature (an Israeli NGO for Community Empowerment). Tashome is currently directing the Gari’n, which focuses on bridging the gap between immigrant communities and Israeli society.

JAN REICHER AND JENNIFER GOROVITZ
President, Women’s Philanthropy
CEO, San Francisco Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

RICHARD FIEDOTIN
Campaign Chair, 2012

AVIVA TABACHNIK
Power of One Attendee

“There’s nothing better than Jewish women working together to improve the world.”
- Jennifer Gorovitz, CEO, Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

Lynn Bunim

For the past 40 years, Lynn Bunim, the 2012 Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award winner, has demonstrated the passion, sacrifice, sincerity, and individuality that go into being a leader. To those that know her well, she is an inspirational leader, one that does not allow bureaucracy to get in her way. Lynn continues to push us to go beyond the status quo. Through her own drive, persistence, and devotion, Lynn makes positive changes to both the Bay Area Jewish community and to the San Francisco community as a whole.

Lynn’s empowering spirit has affected numerous individuals. Below are personal statements from just a handful of those that have worked with Lynn and been touched, guided, and inspired by Lynn’s persistence and grace.

Kathy Williams, Lay Leader, Chair of Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award Committee:

“There are women who touch your life and you know they will have a lifelong impact on you and your community. Lynn Bunim is one of them. As Chair of the Judith Chapman Leadership Award Committee, I had the privilege of calling Lynn Bunim to tell her she was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Chapman award. Lynn’s initial response was the silence that often comes with the surprise of winning a prestigious award followed by a humble thank you — though it is our community that should be thanking Lynn for her leadership. She embodies the heart and soul this award represents. She has dedicated thousands of hours as a leader and volunteer to organizations including Jewish Vocational Services and Federation ensuring critical lifelines are available to those in need, in our Jewish and secular communities, ranging from basic work skills that help individuals return to work or ensuring seniors have transportation preventing them from being homebound. Always with an eye on the future, Lynn manages to find time in her busy schedule to mentor some of our younger leaders. Regardless of age, Lynn has served as a role model to all of us and shown us through her actions how to be a strong, articulate and committed leader. Yasher Koach, Lynn.”

Laura Mason, Senior Program officer at Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund:

“I believe Lynn is one of the rare leaders in the community who is able to both see the big picture from 40,000 feet, and ready and willing to delve into the work of implementation and ultimately translating vision into impact. To our work she brings a deeply respectful and collaborative approach that enhances any communal process. Not one to shy away from a challenge or to lose momentum amidst competing interests, Lynn remains grounded and wise in complex situations. All of these traits make Lynn the quintessential leader, whether it is in a board room or otherwise in her day-to-day life. On a personal level, Lynn has always been a role model of mine, as I am continually impressed by her grace under pressure and ability to make the balancing act of professional, volunteer and family responsibilities seem effortless.”

Debbie Toizer, Lay Leader, Women in Leadership Mentee:

“When I was accepted into Women In Leadership, a leadership mentoring program of the Jewish Community Federation a few years ago, I was excited to have the opportunity to work with a mentor. Then I received the news that Lynn Bunim was to be my mentor and I looked her up online. Have you seen this woman’s resume? Executive Director for External Affairs for AT&T; Chair of the Mayor’s Fiscal Advisory Committee under both Gavin Newsom and Willie Brown, Founding Trustee and board member of the San Francisco Day School; and the list goes on. Lynn was recognized by the League of Women Voters as a “Woman Who Could be President.” President! To be honest, it was a little intimidating.

Shortly after that, Lynn and I met in person. She asked me about my goals and what she could do to help me achieve them. That’s how it went with Lynn and me. She would check in from time to time, forwarding my resume and putting me in touch with people for future involvement. Lynn may be a business executive, sought after by government officials and business leaders for her expertise, but she made time to share that expertise with me too. Congratulations, Lynn, on a much deserved award.”

Susan Mall, Lay Leader and former JCF Staff:

“In the early days of the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) lunch ‘Strictly Business,’ I called Lynn because we needed help with corporate sponsors. I thought Lynn would be a perfect person because of Lynn’s incredible reputation and experience in the business world. Lynn was a bit reluctant at first to serve on the JVS committee, but very thoughtful— asking lots of questions before she got involved because Lynn does not like to do anything half-way. Agreeing to serve on this one committee led to being on many other committees at JVS, heading up the committees, then taking a board position, and then becoming the head of the whole organization! Lynn then became a member of the Board of the Federation and then worked her way up the JCF organization the same way she committed herself and worked her way up JVS. She asked a lot of questions and dedicated herself to learning and loving the organization, Along the way she helped to create new areas of involvement for young people, business people and those who wanted to enter the portals of Jewish community life.

The best thing about Lynn is that even though she has had a long and strong history of community service, she came to her Jewish communal work a little later in her life; and through the doors of JVS, she worked her way into the Jewish organizational world to become one of the top decision makers at JCF. She is the “poster person” for Jewish community involvement and passion. I am so happy I made that phone call! Congratulations Lynn!”

By Lynn Bunim

I was an apple that did not fall too far from a tree in the 1960s. My mother, Jane Burrows, was a volunteer with the Mt. Zion Hospital Women’s Auxiliary.  She and many other volunteers did their version of “bring your daughter to work”…it was actually  “bring your daughter to Mt. Zion to volunteer.”  That was the role of Jewish women then and it is still the role of Jewish women today. In most cases, we are the family member who models and teaches our children about Tikkun Olam.

At the time none of us young “Candy Stripers” knew what Tikkun Olam was.  We just knew we were making Mt. Zion patients’ days a little bit brighter. For sure, we left our shifts with a feeling of satisfaction. Tikkun Olam has remained an integral part of my life ever since the Mt. Zion experience. I don’t think about “putting” it into my life. It is just part of my DNA, part of who I am and who I became.

Lynn Bunim (right) and her mother, Jane Burrows.

I approached community involvement like I approached my career in the corporate world.  I said “yes” to requests to become involved in nonprofit endeavors, even when I did not know where “yes” would lead.  I said “yes” to a request to attend “just one meeting” for Jewish Vocational Services.  That first “yes” led to nearly twenty years of an affiliation with JVS, including serving as its President.  The JVS leadership experience led Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. to name me the founding Chair of San Francisco’s Workforce Investment Board. By taking a risk, I found a new passion and leadership roles, serving the vulnerable in both the Jewish and the general community.

My experience and position with JVS led me to a position on the Federation board. Once I reached the board, I was fortunate to have volunteer mentors and key Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund staff members who continuously matched my skill set with challenging volunteer opportunities.  Past recipients of the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award like Adele Corvin, Joelle Steefel and Kathy Williams have supported and advocated for various positions relating to allocations. Long time JCF staff member Susan Mall has been my “inside” mentor.  She helped me see the value of balancing my charitable giving between the JCF and select Jewish agencies.

My advice to young Jewish women who want to grow their involvement and leadership in the Jewish community is simple.  For starters, just say “yes” when a friend asks you to donate an hour or two of your time.  Alternatively, let Katherine Tick, the JCF’s Director of Leadership Development, know about you, your skill set and your interests.

Katherine Tick’s email is katherinet@sfjcf.org.  She will take it from there and try to make a match. If you don’t take the first step, you will never know where it might lead or what passion you might unleash. Looking back it was just one, small, first step into JVS that put me on a path of ever growing engagement in our Jewish community.

Judith Chapman

Every year, the Federation honors a female role model in our community with the prestigious Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding Jewish volunteer leaders who go beyond just dedicating their time, energy and resources. These women are mentors, modeling and motivating others to express their Jewish values by supporting the overall well-being of their Jewish community.

So who was Judith Chapman?

Judith Sirbu Chapman was an esteemed volunteer leader, friend, change agent and member of our Jewish community. Her leadership skills bloomed through dedication, focused effort, on the job training, and vision. Overcoming painful shyness, she became an advisor to community professionals and a mentor to all the women who were fortunate enough to know her. Judith’s expertise benefited the Federation, Mt. Zion Hospital Auxiliary, the statewide Nurses Association, the Democratic Party central committee, JCRC, the j. Weekly, National Women’s Division Board and the national organization of Federations.

In her day, few women were professionals, and no women ran corporations. Judith persevered through her intelligence coupled with an intuitive understanding of people and her concern for the future of the overall community (Jewish and secular). Utilizing her natural talents, she charted a career path by lending her time to multiple organizations.

Judith used to say that she was a “professional volunteer,” treating every position as if she had a paycheck and a promotion at stake. Her personal investment was immeasurable and provided a profound impact on her community. Her permanent fund with the JCEF make grants towards Jewish projects at home and abroad, empowers women to achieve, and provides future leadership training programs.

Lynn Bunim honored with the 2012 Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award

Lynn Burrows Bunim

Lynn Bunim, this year’s award winner grew up in a different time. And what connects her to Judith are their shared ideals, values and commitment to their Jewish community.

Coming from the for-profit world, Lynn also has a focused determination and a deep dedication to her community. With recently concluding a career as government affairs and community relations executive with AT&T, Lynn has prioritized her volunteerism throughout her lifetime. As a civic and community leader, she continuously strives for excellence utilizing her experience to quickly and clearly articulate gaps and problem solve effectively. Her words inspire, her vision creates change and she functions as a role model for all her peers and co-workers.

Congratulations Lynn on receiving this well-deserved recognition!

Lynn Bunim will receive the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award at the Power of One on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

The fog was even thicker in Daly City than it was in San Francisco. But it didn’t stop women from as far north as Sonoma and as far south as Palo Alto from gathering together at the annual Lion of Judah luncheon. Lions of Judah are women who embody the spirit of tzedakah by contributing a minimum of $5,000 to the Jewish Community Federation’s Annual Campaign. Together, we celebrated the 6th day of Sukkot, rejoiced in a “pop up” sukkah and each woman had the opportunity to shake the lulav and etrog. Fog didn’t daunt the cozy celebration; in fact, spirits were sunny.

Now you might be thinking that a luncheon sounds a little old fashioned. Couldn’t we have group Skyped or had a live Tweet-up? We get so busy with all our familial, professional and philanthropic commitments that getting us in a room at one time is a miracle. But there’s something very powerful about women gathering together in person for a shared meal and shared dialogue.

J Weekly Editor-in-Chief Sue Fishkoff took the podium with the contrasting landscape behind her. According to this hard-hitting journalist, Jewish life is flourishing in America and here in the Bay Area. Synagogue membership may be down, but folks are creating new kinds of worship groups on their own and the next generation is starting grassroots Jewish organizations devoted to ecology and social justice.

All in all, it’s a great time to be Jewish. And it’s a fabulous time to be a Jewish woman and involved with the Jewish Community Federation. The fogs of marginality and indifference have been lifted by resurgence. And we should be very excited about what we see underneath! Oh, and the salmon was delicious, too.

The Jewish Community Federation is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award.

Recipients of this high honor:

• Demonstrate significant and sustained volunteer leadership involvement through Synagogues, Agencies or Educational Institutions in the Jewish communities of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties;
• Demonstrate volunteer leadership in the community at large;
• Place a high value on their Jewish identity by modeling the importance of tzedakah in their lives;
• Exemplify an interest in the well-being of the greater Jewish community by having a significant connection with the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund;
• Mentor, motivate and encourage others to follow in their footsteps as a leader in the community.

The Award will be presented at the Women’s Philanthropy Power of One Celebration on February 16th, 2012.

Please submit your nomination(s) by visiting the online nomination form. We encourage the resubmission of past nominees who have yet to receive the Judith Chapman award; however a new nomination form is necessary for consistency in the selection process.

Deadline: Monday, October 17, 2011

Learn more about the Chapman Award.

In order to maintain confidentiality throughout the selection process, please do not inform the nominee of your submission.

Questions? Please contact Katherine Tick at 415.512.6265 or KatherineT@sfjcf.org.

Each year, the Judith Chapman Women’s Leadership Fund of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund recognizes a woman who exemplifies significant and sustained volunteer leadership in the Jewish and general community, serves as a role model for others, and values her Jewish identity and the importance of tzedakah in her life. This year, Dana Corvin was chosen as the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award Winner.

Dana Corvin

A third generation San Franciscan, Dana Corvin has devoted herself to the Bay Area and Jewish communities for almost three decades. An educator and a two time business owner, Dana has balanced each of her three careers with her full-time activism and volunteerism.

Through her work on the Boards of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the J. Weekly, Mt. Zion Health Fund and Temple Emanuel, Dana has ensured that a vibrant and thriving Jewish community exists within the Bay Area. A leader throughout the Bay Area, Dana has played key integral roles on the Boards of the Stulsaft Foundation, American Red Cross, SF State University Foundation and United Way. Dana has honored the Jewish Community Federation through her service as an officer, as a Director on the Board of Trustees and the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, a member of the Board of Governors, a mentor with Women in Leadership and a leader on countless other Federation committees. At Federation, the Jewish Community and throughout the Bay Area, Dana is known as woman of wit, warmth and wisdom.

Dana is married to Harris Weinberg, and is a stepmother of three and grandmother of two.

Dana will be honored on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at the Women’s Philanthropy Annual Meeting & Celebration.  Tickets are available at

http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=219408

As part of the look back, we’ve been digging through our archives, and recently came across a great old photo of Jan Reicher and her daughter Adi.  We asked Jan if she remembered the day…

Jan Reicher and her daughter Adi Reicher Alouf in the 1990s.

“This photo was taken of me and my daughter, Adi Reicher Alouf, at a “Women’s Alliance” event for moms & kids about 12 years ago on Union Street in San Francisco.  Since this time, Adi has become a bat mitzvah, graduated from Brandeis Hillel Day School and attends the Jewish Community High School of the Bay.  She served on the Teen Foundation as a board member and has been an Annual Campaign donor to Women’s Philanthropy for three years.  She is excited to work at her third Super Sunday!

For me, Federation has been a second home, wherever I have lived.  Since living in the Bay Area since 1996, I have been involved as Power of One Chair, Israel in the Gardens Co-Chair, Wexner Hertiage Alumni, President of Brandeis Hillel Day School , JCF Trustee and now President of Women’s Philanthropy.

Giving through Federation, I know I am touching the most people I can.”

- Jan Reicher

Jan Reicher and Adi Alouf this week at Super Sunday 2011 with Mark Bernstein and Jodye Friedman.

Come join Jan and Adi in celebrating the Federation’s centennial at FedFest:

From left: Evan Markiewicz, Israeli Consul General Akiva Tor, Roselyn Swig, Amy Sosnick, Beth Rubenstein

JCF CEO Jennifer Gorovitz welcoming the sold-out crowd

Women’s Philanthropy President Jan Reicher with daughters Alex & Adi

Women’s Philanthropy Past Presidents

For more great Power of One 2011 photos, please visit:
http://sfjcf.smugmug.com/Womens-Philanthropy/powerofone2011