Night 3: Women

December 2020

This Hanukkah we are taking a moment to shine a light on the resilience of our community throughout this past year. Tonight, we light the 3rd candle of the menorah and  read how our community brought light and hope to women. 

The Women’s Philanthropy Division of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio brought light to local women even during the pandemic through exclusive virtual programs, like the Lions ofJudah speaker series, including a session with Madeline Allbright and a National Women’s Philanthropy book clubseries.  Led by Lauren Stanley, Women’s Philanthropy Chair, and Dr. Amy Benedikt, the Lion of Judah Chair, fifty-four Lions contributed 30% of the overall 2019 annual campaign of $1.3 million. 

The Lion of Judah is a symbol of today’s Jewish woman’s strength, her caring about the organized Jewish world, and her financial commitment of $5,000 or more to the Jewish Federation of San Antonio’s Annual Campaign.  Interested in joining this giving circle?  Contact Beth Keough, Director of Philanthropy, at 210.302.6813 or keoughb@jfsatx.org. 

“In 2020, the San Antonio Chapter of Hadassah has brought light to our community, to Texas, and to Israel. We provided information on health topics such as breast cancer, pre-diabetes, and Alzheimer’s to women locally and supported the innovative healing and research done at Hadassah’s hospitals inJerusalem. We advocated for statewide and national Holocaust education and succeeded in passing a national bill to make this possible across the nation. We brought a message to thwart bullying of students in our schools, featuring one of the top educators in Texas. Our efforts showcase Hadassah’s slogan: “The Power of Women Who Do.” – Marion Bernstein, President Hadassah San Antonio, Chapter 

“The Aviva Group of Hadassah, the younger women’s group, found wonderful ways to connect during COVID through such programs as a virtual challah bake and Shabbat candle lighting, happy hours, anti-Semitism education training with the ADL, and a paper cutting art class just before Rosh Hashanah. The Ta Ta Trifecta, a Breast Cancer Awareness event, was held virtually as well, on October 22, with speakers and participants from around the country.”  – Leslie Hickey, President, Aviva Group 

The JCC’s mission is to inspire Jewish Journeys while strengthening individual life, family unity and community involvement. The JCC positively impacts women (and men too!), birth through life, as individuals of all ages, parents at all stages, children of older parents, and beyond. Providing essential services for children, families, and seniors, fitness, wellness, and community engagement outlets for adults, and a host of arts and entertainment opportunities for all are the many lights the JCC provides day to day; and in the past 7 months, these lights are more important than ever.

An NCJW San Antonio Section program honoring women was presented on October 29, 2020, as a Webinar. The title of the program was “Breaking the Glass Ceiling”, and it was held in honor of the many inroads made by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. A panel discussion between Rabbis Mara Nathan, Barbara Cohen, Marina Yergin, and Cantor Julie Berlin was held regarding the challenges they faced in becoming women Rabbis and a woman Cantor. It was an excellent program well received by the NCJW community and beyond.  -Lori Stockstiel 

Temple Beth-El’s Sisterhood has always been great about reaching out and keeping our congregants connected. While staying safe during the pandemic, they have been able to continue to do this in significant ways. They have made calls, had zoom meetups, learned to fix Sushi, and once again sold bottles of honey to mail all around the globe to wish recipients a sweet holiday. Members met, socially distanced, to pack and label 1,600 bottles of honey, a number significantly higher than years past. They partnered with two other Temple Sisterhoods, in Lubbock and Corpus Christi, so their members could also purchase the honey through their Temples. With over 30 volunteers participating, either from their home or in-person, they once again provided the Sweet New Year’s gifts to many.