New Chai Society Offers Exciting Opportunities for JNF’s Women When JNF’s Sderot Indoor RECREATION
JEWISH NATIONAl FUND
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Center was being built in 2009, Sherri Middleberg of Bucks County, NJ remembers that as a mom she felt a need to help the children and families of Sderot. She did, and over the years, Sherri has continued to connect with JNF’s vision; she is now one of the first members of JNF’s newest women’s society, the Chai Society. “The Chai Society is a level at which I was comfortable donating,” she said. “I wanted to donate $1,800 to symbolize chai. To me, JNF is more than just giving. It’s helping Israel, it’s a sense of community, it’s making new friends, and it’s hopefully teaching our Chai Society pendant children by example. I look forward to proudly wearing the beautiful Chai Society pendant to all the events I attend.” A means of encouraging more women to join JNF’s leadership and society ranks, the Chai Society will act as a stepping stone between the Women’s Alliance and the Sapphire Society, JNF’s women’s major donor society. To be a member of JNF’s Women’s Alliance, an annual donation of $360 is required. Sapphire Society membership is an annual donation of $5,000. Each level of giving provides
its own set of benefits to the donor. The Chai Society also allows women who aren’t at the major donor giving level access to leadership roles in the organization. “Women’s giving is so critical,” said Vivian Grossman, who, with Ellen Rosenberg, serves as Chai Society Co-Chair, “so we thought this is the opportunity to be more inclusive.” Sandy Rife, whose husband Seymour is the incoming president for Phoenix, agrees that the Chai Society presents a level of giving that encourages women to make donations separate from a family donation. She has been giving at the Women’s Alliance level for years. “I’ve always felt that it’s important for a woman to give a gift in her name, as a wonderful example for her family and children,” Sandy said. “As a supporter of JNF, and having seen how their work benefits Israel, I think that it’s essential that we do what we can to ensure that the people who have the courage to be pioneers and move to the Negev have access to basic institutions and amenities.” Creating a connection between the women in the U.S. who support Israel and the people who benefit from that support, members of the Chai Society will receive a beautiful 24-karat gold pendant in the shape of the State of Israel, designed by Israeli jewelry designer Orit Levi. “As third generation Israelis, our love for Israel is etched in our souls,” said Orit. “It is our inspiration not only in designing jewelry, but in our lives, in the way we
raise our children with the values and culture of Israel, and it gives us a strong motivation to protect our homeland. Working with JNF is a great honor and a huge compliment. Jewish National Fund has been so supportive all the way; we feel as if we are working with a family member, not a customer.” Orit is a member of the Israeli Art Vivian Grossman Association, a group of artists who created a shared website so people could purchase the art directly (www.israeli-art.org). It was there that Vivian and Ellen looked for a pendant to represent JNF’s Chai Society and were wowed by Orit’s unique design. “The pendant is beautifully made; the quality blew us away,” said Vivian. “It makes a strong statement, yet is feminine. We wanted a pin that women in their 20s as well as women in their 70s could wear every day with pride. Every time I’ve worn the pin, I’ve been stopped on the street.” “Every woman wearing our pendant is a goodwill ambassador for Israel,” said Orit, “and a portal to reach more women who will purchase our art and enable us to continue creating Israeli art that will reach many Jews and Israel supporters in the US. We thank JNF from the bottom of our hearts for this amazing opportunity.” n For more information or to join the Chai Society, contact Sharon David at sdavid@jnf.org or 212.879.9302 x242.
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