To date, the JWCIF has put together a group of seventeen different funds to contribute ten thousand dollars each over the next two years, giving them $170,000 in funds to distribute to Jewish women’s and girl’s causes in Israel.
As much as Tikkun Olam and its trustees are dedicated to the cause of providing for the needs of women and girls, many members of the foundation have discovered that they are truly enriched by their affiliation with the foundation, their socialization with other like-minded women, their understanding of social issues and the feeling of empowerment that results from realizing that they have the ability to change people’s lives for the better.
“I love the women that I have met, many of whom I now call friends,” said thirty five year old trustee Rachel Roscow who lives in Bethesda and works in marketing research. “I love the feeling of ‘giving back’ when we award grants, the way that every woman around the table has a voice in how we give our money. But most of all, I love the educational opportunity that comes along with being a trustee of Tikkun Olam. I have learned so much in the three and a half years that I have been involved. I have had the opportunity to visit and see first-hand some of the wonderful work that local organizations are doing to help women and girls in our area. I have learned about so many issues women and girls face in Israel and the efforts that are being made to effect positive change. I have had hands on experience going through the granting process. Whenever I talk about Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation, I always tell people that I joined as a unique giving opportunity but I have gained, and continue to gain, so much more than I give.”
For more information visit towf.org or call 301-348-7376.
Sandy Eller is a freelance writer who has written for various websites, newspapers, magazines and private clients in addition to having written song lyrics and scripts for several full scale productions. She can be contacted at [email protected]m.