Blog

Updates from Women on the Ground in Israel

Elluminate is devastated by the horrific events in Israel and our hearts go out to the Israeli people and Jews around the world who are hurting, have lost loved ones, and are in disbelief.  Now more than ever, we need to support the Jewish women leaders in...

Making a Difference

By Avra Gordis A few days ago, I had the privilege of representing  The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York at a WePower event entitled 50-50 by 2030 in Tel Aviv. WePower is a non-profit organization in Israel that works to facilitate the engagement of israeli women...

Cartwheels for Civil Rights

By Natasha Mayer   Last Tuesday, I had the distinct pleasure of attending (by Zoom, of course!) a live drag show with my very favorite New York Jewish drag queen, Miz Cracker. There was comedy, dance, high-heeled cartwheels, and civil rights.  Hosted by JWFNY...

Honoring the Women of Passover

Many of us are observing Passover this week and celebrating the feminist heroes of the Passover story like Miriam who led the Israelites across the Red Sea, the midwives Shifra and Puah who defied Pharaoh and saved Israelite baby boys, and the often-unnamed Pharaoh's...

Remembering JWFNY Founder, Arlene Wittels

The Jewish Women's Foundation of New York mourns the passing of our dear founder and board member, Arlene Wittels, on January 29, 2021.* Arlene Wittels was born in the Bronx and attended the University of Michigan Ann Arbor for her bachelor's degree and received her...

Transgender Day of Rememberance 2020

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20th to commemorate members of the trans community who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a trans rights activist and a transgender woman herself, began Transgender...

It’s Who You Know

By Rachel Siegel   Have you ever heard the expression, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? This is advice often given to job seekers, since many positions are filled using personal contacts instead of advertisements. The relational nature of the world is...

World Day of Social Justice

Thirteen years ago, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously to adopt February 20th as the World Day of Social Justice. The purpose of the resolution was “the need to consolidate further the efforts of the international community in poverty...

A Very Incomplete List of Notable Black Jews

In honor of Black History Month, JWFNY wants to highlight a few of the many prominent Black Jews. Jews of color, and Black Jews in particular, are historically overlooked in the Jewish community. We want to celebrate their contributions to the worlds of...

Solidarity March

The "No Hate, No Fear" Solidarity March earlier this month, organized by New York's Jewish community in the wake of recent anti-Semitic attacks, drew nearly 25,000 individuals.I was a volunteer with the bullhorn brigade – my job was to make sure people...