Greater Miami Jewish Federation Celebrates Extraordinary Women’s Event


Women’s Philanthropy of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation delivered on its promise for a day of inspiration with two programs and more than 1,000 women attending from across Miami’s Jewish community.
The morning began with a special Lion of Judah Breakfast chaired by Dorothy Podhurst, which honored and celebrated the inspiring Lions of the community. The groundbreaking Lion of Judah philanthropy program was founded more than 40 years ago in Miami by Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland, of blessed memory, and now comprises 17,500 women worldwide who generously support their local Federation/UJA Campaign as a statement of their dedication to the Jewish community. Highlights of the morning included a keynote address by noted scholar, Dr. Erica Brown who challenged participants with the question “what kind of community do we want to live in?” and “what are you prepared to do to help create it?”
The luncheon, chaired by Adrienne Pardo, proudly acknowledged the dedication of all women who have committed their resources to care for those in need, support 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, author and humanitarian Fran Drescher, who is best known for her performance as the lovable Fran Fine on the hit TV series The Nanny. Drescher is also the Founder, President and visionary of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a non-profit organization. Fran
Attendees also brought kosher grape juice, honey, Shabbat candles and other items that were delivered to the JCS Kosher Food Bank to help families in need celebrate Shabbat. The JCS Kosher Food Bank is operated by Jewish Community Services of South Florida, a local partner agency of Federation.
The Women’s Event Committee included Oriana Azizollahoff, Frances L. Gaynor, Michelle Goldberg, Ilana Levit, Margarita Minski, Joanna F. Segal and Shoshanna Wagner with Women’s Philanthropy President Elise Scheck Bonwitt, and Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Sheree Savar.

Federation gratefully acknowledges its 2014 Proud Business Partners for their generous support of The Women’s Event and the Lion of Judah Breakfast program. Platinum Sponsors were: Bilzin Sumberg Attorneys at Law, The Collection, Greenberg Traurig and Wells Fargo. Gold Sponsors were: Akerman LLP, Kent Security Services and Sapoznik Insurance. Silver Sponsors were: Crystal & Company and Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A.
For more information about the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, please visit JewishMiami.org or call 305-576-4000.
Laura Kaplan, Beth Achenbaum, Arielle Kossman, Ilene Kossman and Mojdeh Khaghan Danial
Women's Philanthropy President Elise Scheck Bonwitt, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Sheree Savar and Federation General Campaign Chair Robert G. Berrin
Lily Serviansky and Colleen Fain
Women's Philanthropy Immediate Past President Laura Koffsky, Dr. Erica Brown, Lion of Judah Breakfast Chair Dorothy Podhurst and Karen Dern
Mytyl Simancas-Bister, Belinda Gilbert and Alisa Oppenheim
Mikki Futernick, Maxine Schwartz, Miriam Hinds and Julie Franklin
Ellen Sprechman, Charlotte Brodie, Felice Schwartz, Sandy Lansing and Marlene Chavin
Raquel Scheck, Gabriella Bonwitt and Elise Scheck Bonwitt
Julie Bercow, Robin Kettler, Paula Levy, Alison Mars and Adrienne Scheck
Jill Schwartz, Fran Drescher, Pam Wolofsky and Patti Gurkin
Women's Event Chair Adrienne Pardo, Lion of Judah Breakfast Chair Dorothy Podhurst, Women's Philanthropy President Elise Scheck Bonwitt and Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Sheree Savar
Pamela Luria, Gloria Luria and Nancy Luria
Renee Fink, Gloria Scharlin and Nancy Lipoff
Roberta Green, Gail Spiegelman, Lindsay Spiegelman, Tracey Spiegelman