On Wednesday, March 8, a group of donors gathered in the home of Julie and Michael Mervis at the invitation of Campaign Co-Chairs Sandy Nachlis and Karen Rothbaum. A panel of attendees shared reflections from the 2022
International Lion of Judah Conference (ILOJC), which took place in December.

The program opened with Nachlis reading a letter from Kipnis Wilson- Friedland honoree Barb Leventhal, who was not able to be at the event. Leventhal shared her thanks for being honored and how much she enjoyed the many speakers and sessions, in particular the personal story shared by keynote speaker Katie Couric.

Rothbaumthenmoderatedtheconversation as women shared what they learned at the Phoenix conference. Each were inspired by different things. Rothbaum and Mollie Tavel Kaback shared how inspired they were by some of the keynote speakers, including Representative Gabby Giffords, actor Marlee Matlin, and Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt. Nachlis enjoyed being with other campaignandWomen’sPhilanthropychairs, finding community with her peers who are helping to strengthen their communities. Helen Kurlander Goldstein, who has attended multiple ILOJC conferences, learned more about how Federations are on the ground level with community partners fighting antisemitism on many levels. She commented that even with her high level of Federation and Jewish community involvement, she had no idea the depth of Federation’s involvement in so many different arenas. Sybil Mervis, who has also attended many ILOJC’s is passionate about intergenerational philanthropy and a session on that topic had her challenging her grandchildren to make their own philanthropic choices this year. One of her grandchildren was in the room and shared how this impacted her thoughts about philanthropy.

In addition to sharing about the conference, the event honored new Lions of Judah and Pomegranate level donors who were present, including Lynn Mervis, Julie Mervis, Janine Shapiro and Elise Swatez. Kaback is a new Pomegranate level donor and is part of a step-up program to become a Lion of Judah.

While there is no date set for the next International Lion of Judah Conference, it is certain that a great group of Indy
women will be attending, having been inspired by their peers about this meaningful opportunity.