Join us virtually for the annual Lion of Judah Event, featuring Mary Relles, Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipient, and keynote speaker Marlee Matlin, Academy Award-winning actress and activist.
Connect with fellow Lions for an exciting evening of celebrity spotlights, powerful speakers, touching tributes and post-program Schmooze Rooms.
We welcome you to invite a special woman in your life (daughter, sister, friend), with whom you share philanthropic values, to join you for this program.
Registration is now closed
About Lion’s Leap | About Women’s Philanthropy | About Lion of Judah
LION OF JUDAH EVENT DETAILS
Tuesday, December 7
7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Virtual program
Registration is now closed
- A Lion of Judah is a woman who makes a minimum annual gift of $5,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
- You will be sent a link and password to join us virtually as we draw closer to the event.
- Closed captioning will be available during the event.
- There will be post-program Schmooze Rooms to connect with your fellow Lions.
- You will have an opportunity to make your gift during the event.
- We hope you will consider Taking the Leap! For more information on Lion’s Leap, please click here.
For more information about this event, please contact Lindsay Davidman, Director of Women’s Philanthropy, at ldavidman@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0502
HONORING A VISIONARY: MARY RELLES, KIPNIS-WILSON/FRIEDLAND AWARD RECIPIENT
Mary Relles has been a guiding light for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for decades. Passionately devoted to our mission of ensuring a vibrant Jewish community for generations to come, she ardently serves on a number of Jewish Federation boards, including the Board of Trustees, Women’s Philanthropy Board, Women of Vision Executive Committee, Endowments Committee, and more.
Beloved and respected by her peers and community, Mary is known for her generous spirit and support of a wide-range of worthy causes. Close to Mary’s heart is Jewish summer camp, and she is a strong advocate for making those experiences accessible for all children.
She is a leader not only within the philanthropic world, but also in the corporate world at her family-run business SofterWare, Inc.
Mary and her husband Nathan have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
ABOUT THE KIPNIS-WILSON/FRIEDLAND AWARD
National Women’s Philanthropy established the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award in recognition of Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland, founders of the Lion of Judah. This award recognizes extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in their communities.
Philadelphia is proud to honor strong women who exemplify the spirit and vision of the Lion of Judah through a commitment to tzedakah and tikkun olam:
2018 Lyn Neff
2016 Phyllis Finkelstein
2014 Connie Smukler
2012 Ann Spain z”l
2010 Lana Dishler
2008 Beth Reisboard
2006 Cis Golder z”l
2004 Annabelle Fishman
BE INSPIRED BY OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MARLEE MATLIN
“Live Generously: Healing the World, One Person at a Time”
Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ Children of a Lesser God, earning her the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress. In 2021, she was nominated for an Oscar as Executive Producer for the Live Action Short,
Feeling Through.
She is Emmy nominated for her appearances in Seinfeld, Picket Fences, The Practice and Law and Order: SVU. Among her vast acting portfolio, she has starred in her own NBC series Reasonable Doubts as well as The West Wing, Switched at Birth and The L Word. This year, Marlee has been praised for her role in the Sundance Film Award-winning movie, CODA.
Though Marlee lost her hearing when she was only 18 months old, she never let her challenges dictate her future or deter her dreams. Marlee has dedicated herself to raising awareness for many humanitarian causes, including diversity and LGBTQ+ rights.
We would like to thank Joan Garde for generously sponsoring the speaker fee for this event.
EVENT CO-CHAIRS
Tami Astorino | Karen Kramer | Sarah Vogel
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY LEADERSHIP
| Julie Savitch Chair Tracy Gordon Chair-Elect Ellyn Golder Saft Campaign Co-Chair | Jessica Solomon Campaign Co-Chair Lauren Danneman Campaign Corps Member Lysa Puma Campaign Corps Member | Jen Thomas Campaign Corps Member Marni Davis Senior Director Affinities & Volunteer Engagement Lindsay Davidman Director Women’s Philanthropy |
EVENT HOST COMMITTEE
| Nona Levin Abrams Ande Adelman Susanna Lachs Adler Jan Albert Myrna Zeitlin Asher Marcy Bacine Andi Barsky Elyse Berger Lisa Berkowitz Bryna Berman Sharyn Berman Penny Bernick Ariann Bernstein Penni Blaskey Sally Cooper Bleznak Sheree Bloch Ilene Cantos Barbara Cooperberg Susan Carol Cutler Kelly Dash Lana Dishler Lorraine Drobny Donna Feinberg Suzanne S. Feld Arlene Fickler Caren Fox Fires Phyllis Malissa Finkelstein Annabelle Fishman Sharon Freedman Susan R. Freedman | Beth Frezel Tracy Ginsburg Belinda Glijansky Julia Goldberg Lisa Goldenberg Rosalie Goldberg Stacey Goldman Paula Goldstein Shira Goodman Adele Aron Greenspun Julie Gubernick Jennifer Hoffman Margie Honickman Jackie Kaiser Sharon Klazmer Jill Kleeman Heather Klein Jamie Klein Pamela Kofsky Beth Krouse Jill Kurtzman Cari Lasdon Sara W. Laver Lori Levin Michele Levin Sharon P. Levin Stefani Levin Marla Luterman Debra Magerman Jodi Miller Meredith Moss Julie Perilstein Mozes | Lyn Neff Holly Nelson Gail Norry Judy Novick Sue Panitch Jayne Perilstein Naomi Prusky Beth Reisboard Mary Relles Robin Robbins Marjorie Roshkoff Lyn M. Ross Linda Roth Renée G. Sackey Carolyn Saligman, Ph.D. Sherrie Savett Mimi Schneirov Lisa Schoenberg Susan Schwartz Rita Siegle Marsha Silberstein Chaile B. Steinberg Rachel L Steinberg Rabbi Lynnda Targan Dr. Bettyruth Walter Margie Perilstein Wargon Janna Weinerman Tracy Winig Amy Wittenstein Marian Wolgin Jane Zolot Debra Zweben |