Two Indianapolis Jewish community members, Lisa Frank and Mollie Tavel, have been selected to participate in the inaugural cohort called Emerge, a women’s leadership program offered by the Jewish Federations of North America. 
Women professionals from Jewish communities around the country gather via Zoom monthly to take part in trainings and conversations about leadership. The year-long program will culminate in the 2022 Lion of Judah conference in Arizona. 
The program’s training topics include “Leading and living by Jewish values” and “Planning, Problem Solving and Visioning for your local community.” Tavel said that she and Frank are brainstorming ways to bring the lessons they learn back to the Indianapolis Jewish community. 
“One of my goals coming out of the Emerge program is to work with the Federation to create more young women’s programming,” Tavel said. “I want to engage the next generation of young women.” 
Tavel said that Women’s Philanthropy looks different for millennial women than it does for their mothers, and she looks forward to creating opportunities for young female Jewish community members to engage in philanthropy that works for them and their lives. 
Tavel, who grew up in Indianapolis, recently moved back after living in Chicago and Dallas for years. She is the Director of Growth Initiatives and Community Engagement at the Dr. Tavel Optical Group. She said she is excited to engage in relationship-building as it becomes safe to do so in person. She volunteers regularly with Popsie’s Pantry and enjoys the opportunity to make an impact in a safe and effective way. 
After moving from Chicago  to Indianapolis two years ago, Frank said her first phone call in Indianapolis was to JFGI, as she knew she wanted to get involved. She wears multiple professional hats owning her own business and simultaneously serving as the Director of Hillel at Butler University. She has participated in many Jewish organizations and groups, including Women’s Philanthropy through the Jewish Federation in Chicago. 
“I think that Emerge will give me some really good pillars as I continue my path as a volunteer and member of the community, and I can hopefully find ways that I can contribute my time and hopefully leadership along the way,” Frank said. 
Although she wishes she could get to know the other participants in person, Frank said she appreciates connecting with Jewish women from communities of all sizes. Both Tavel and Frank said they have enjoyed reflecting on their core Jewish values and how those values can be reflected in their leadership and philanthropy. 
“We’re honored to be a part of JFNA’s new women’s initiative, which will elevate Lisa and Mollie on their individual leadership and philanthropic journeys,” said Paula Glanzman Goldberg, Director of Women’s Philanthropy at JFGI. “The leadership development, Federation knowledge and spiritual growth that are the focus of Emerge will benefit these women personally and as future leaders in Jewish Indianapolis.”