To the nearly 200 women gathered for the annual meeting of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division on April 30, women’s campaign chair Sue Strait reported that the campaign has raised $1.75 million of the $6.3million raised to date for the Community Campaign 2003.
“So far, we have posted increases in all areas,” she said, including number of new donors, dollar amount of gifts and overall dollars raised. “Our goal remains to assure that all in the community live in dignity in a Jewish environment,” Strait added.
Outgoing president Penny Deshur applauded the impact the women’s division has made on “local and global communities” through its fundraising campaign and community involvement in such projects such as the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund and Jewish Community Pantry, and its newest endeavors, the Leadership Academy and Shalom Baby outreach program.
On receiving the organization’s 2003 Ann Agulnick Young Leadership Award, Cheryl Moser said, “Working to enhance our already vibrant community is what I enjoy doing. I volunteer because that’s what my parents and grandparents did, and I’m glad to give back to my community….”
Moser is a member of the MJF board of directors, an officer of the women’s division, a member of the 2003 Campaign Cabinet, and associate co-chair of the Young Women’s Campaign. She serves on the federation’s local planning and allocations panel for children and youth services.
In addition, she is a member of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center board of directors, and past chair of its Parenting Center and membership committees. She is also treasurer of the National Council of Jewish Women-Milwaukee Section and a volunteer at Keshet of Wisconsin.
The mother of three young sons also finds time to work as a senior therapist with the Autism Behavioral Network.
Passionate advocate
Also honored was longtime community volunteer Louise Stein, who received the Esther Cohen Award for outstanding contributions toward a better understanding and responsibility to Jewish communal life. Established in 1965, the award is given only when there is a worthy nominee. Stein is just the 13th recipient of the award since its inception 38 years ago.
“I’ve been blessed to play a role in building this community,” Stein said. “The women’s division inspires leaders to do their best — to answer the call not necessarily to finish a task, but to have the courage to begin it.”
Further, she offered two challenges for the future — to improve the level of professionalism in leadership development for both volunteers and staff, and to create a coalition to support funding to improve supplemental religious schools.
Stein has held numerous leadership positions with the federation and the women’s division. Currently, she is a member of the MJF executive committee and a trustee of the Jewish Community Foundation, the federation’s endowment development program, where she chairs the grants committee.
Also, she is a past president of the women’s division; first chair of the Coalition for Jewish Learning, the MJF’s education program; a past president of the former Milwaukee Association for Jewish Education; and a member of the Jewish Educational Service of North America.
Stein is known as a passionate advocate for excellence in Jewish education, leadership development, strengthening community relationships and strong lay-professional partnerships.
In presenting the award to her, MJF president Judy Segall Guten said, “Through the years, many of us have been blessed with opportunities to follow you, to learn from you, to develop wisdom larger than skills from you, and to be enriched by your belief in our community and by your leadership in the growth of our Jewish identity through programs and services that would not exist if not for you.”
In other business, a slate of officers was approved. They include Marlene Lauwasser, president; Sue Strait, vice president, campaign; Bea Strick, vice president, Presidents’ Conference; and Laura Eder, Suzy Ettinger, Cindy Kazan, Cheryl Moser, Ali Ruvin, Andrea Schneider and Stephanie Wagner, officers.
As the attendees enjoyed their lunch, they were treated to a musical program presented by Nir Barkin, community shaliach, and a “Dialogue” with Jessica Doyle, wife of Gov. Jim Doyle. She discussed her focus on education and service to the community, which she likened to mitzvot and the mission of the women’s division.
Event chairs were Julie Gorens-Winston and Susan Angel Miller.
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