Faith Jacobson, Robin Mancoll, Emily Nied, and Tammi Foer.
Nearly 60 women attended the recent joint United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Outreach and Jewish Women’s Salon event held at the Sandler Family Campus. The third annual “Girls’ Afternoon at the Movies” featured the 2013 award-winning film, Dorfman in Love, followed by a live (via Skype) discussion with screenwriter Wendy Kout.
In her welcome remarks, Women’s Outreach and Salon chair Janet Mercadante thanked each of the women for coming, pointing out that this is year three of the Jewish Women’s Salon program. “What began as an on-line magazine, produced by Hadassah Brandeis Institute, has become a forum for wonderful discussions among the women in our Jewish community.”
The Jewish Women’s Salon came to life through the hard work and dedication of Annie Sandler, who brought the program to Tidewater, and Salon co-chairs Janet Peck and Danielle Leibovici. In its three years, the Salon has touched more than 150 Tidewater women – bringing the community together to engage in meaningful discussions about issues that matter.
Separate from the Jewish Women’s Salon is a long-standing and terrific committee— the Federation’s Women’s Outreach Committee. Women’s Outreach hosted the first two “Girls’ Afternoons at the Movies,” showing Crossing Delancey and later Avalon.
Outreach continues to be a “labor of love” for the Women’s Division of the UJFT. “Federation is a fundraising organization,” explained Mercadante. “We raise and distribute dollars to Jews in need in Tidewater and around the world. We help take care of people, and you all make that possible through your donations. Thank you. However,” she continued, “today’s is NOT a fundraising event. Today is a day of getting to know one another… of meeting and greeting and strengthening bonds which will ultimately strengthen our community.”
UJFT continues to offer outreach and community-building programs which enable donors to see where and how their donated dollars work to help those who most need assistance. For more information on the Jewish Women’s Salon or Federation Women’s Outreach events, contact Amy Zelenka, Women’s Campaign director at azelenka@ujft.org or 965-6139.
by Amy Zelenka, UJFT women’s campaign director