Forty years ago, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation launched its Women’s Division, opening the door for women to lead as volunteers and to make gifts in their own names.
In doing so, Milwaukee joined Jewish federations throughout the nation in reaching out directly to women, creating an innovative model for other nonprofits to follow.
The Women’s Division formed its own leadership structure — which included a president, campaign chair and board — and launched a rich variety of educational and social programs.
It also established the Women’s Campaign, which today accounts for one-third of annual campaign dollars raised in our community each year.
Several Women’s Division leaders have become MJF president or general campaign chair, including current board chair Marlene Lauwasser and general campaign chair Andrea Schneider, and many serve on the boards of the MJF, other Jewish agencies and other community organizations.
Over the past several years, the Women’s Division has considered the possibility of changing its name to reflect the broad effect of its work. In April, under the leadership of then-president Andrea Schneider and president-elect Joan Lubar, the executive committee voted unanimously to change the name of Women’s Division to Women’s Philanthropy.
With this decision, Milwaukee joins a national trend among Jewish federation women’s divisions, about half of which have chosen to incorporate the word philanthropy in their names.
Lubar announced the change at the Women’s Division annual meeting in May. She explained that the dictionary definition of philanthropy is “the love of all humankind,” and stated, “It is a concept that combines two core Jewish values: tikkun olam [repair of the world] and tzedakah [charity].
“A philanthropist is someone who acts on her desire to change the world by giving of her time, talents and financial resources. As you can see, each one of us is a philanthropist.”
She went on to quote from a statement by National Women’s Philanthropy of The Jewish Federations of North America: “This change in name reflects a change that is deeper, that is broader and more powerful. It announces a change of vision…
“To dedicate oneself to philanthropy means to become an agent of change, to embrace the world, to work to have a lasting impact. It means to have a vision of a better life for all Jews, for all people, and to work to make that vision a reality.”
Lubar emphasized that Women’s Philanthropy will continue its focus on furthering the core mission of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation: ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people, enhancing the quality of Jewish life and building a strong, unified Jewish community in Milwaukee, in Israel and throughout the world. The new name acknowledges the tremendous effect of women in this endeavor.
Hannah Rosenthal, president and chief executive officer of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, applauded the name change.
“Women philanthropists set an example for our Federation and to the community at large,” Rosenthal said. “On the national stage, women have a powerful and growing impact through their charitable giving and the actions they take to strengthen the local and global Jewish community and address fundamental social issues. This name change reflects the breadth of their impact and the depth of their commitment.”
Amy Blumenthal is director of Women’s Philanthropy at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
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