More than 900 women from across Miami’s Jewish community gathered for a morning of inspiration and empowerment on Thursday, November 14 at The Women’s Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which took place at the Hilton Miami Downtown.

Chaired by Elise Udelson, this signature event raised nearly $2 million dollars for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Annual Campaign. Tammy Woldenberg, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair, highlighted the many ways these funds are used to care for those in need, support more than 160 vital programs and strengthen Jewish life in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries around the world.

Headlining The Women’s Event was actress Lisa Edelstein, of “House,” “Girlfriends Guide to Divorce” and “The Kominsky Method,” who recalled her Jewish journey and what that has meant for her life both on and off screen in a speech she titled “To Be a Jew.”

Ilene Kossman, Women’s Philanthropy President, shared how efforts are being made to raise awareness about The Dignity Project, an effort to end “period poverty” for low-income women and girls. Participants brought hundreds of sanitary products to donate to Federation partner agency Jewish Community Services of South Florida Kosher Food Bank and other local women’s shelters for those in need.

A surprise interactive percussion activity brought the entire room together to experience the power of what can be accomplished when we work together. It illustrated how Federation unites our people to do good as one community.

Federation gratefully acknowledges its 2019-2020 Proud Business Partners for their generous support. Platinum Sponsors are Bilzin Sumberg, Attorneys at Law; The Collection; Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; LSN Partners Llorente and Heckler and Miami Herald. Gold Sponsors are Addison House; Akerman; City National Bank; GL Homes; Kaufman Rossin; Kent Security Services and Sapoznik Insurance & Associates. Silver Sponsors are Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A. and NFP, The Meltzer Group. Bronze Sponsors are Aetna; Carlton Fields; Haber Law; Houlihan Lokey; Iberia Bank; MBAF CPAs and Advisors; Omnia Family Wealth; Singer Wealth Management and Wells Fargo. Pearl Sponsors are Apollo Bank; Dacra; H & Co.; Holland & Knight; Northern Trust Bank; Perry Ellis International; Podhurst Orseck, P.A. and Siegfried Rivera.

For more information about the Greater Miami Jewish Federation or to get involved with Women’s Philanthropy, please visit JewishMiami.org or call 305.576.4000.