The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Cabinet, led by co-chairs Barbara Dudley and Mona Flax, kicked-off the 2022 campaign year by going to camp…at the Simon Family JCC.
On a beautiful (albeit rather warm) afternoon, members of the Women’s Cabinet mustered up in the Cardo for a terrific summer camp scavenger hunt planned by Dave Flagler, the Simon Family JCC’s new director of camp and teen engagement.
Following clues, learning about Jewish summer camp here in Tidewater and around the world, the women “travelled” from spot to spot around the Simon Family JCC, ending the hunt at the outdoor pool and aquatics center, where they had an opportunity to “see the campers in their natural habitat….” slurping on popsicles and hanging out with their bunkmates.
Returning inside to the welcome of the nicely air-conditioned Kramer Board Room, Cabinet members enjoyed a full camp “Canteen” experience (and lots of throw-back candy and treats to bring sweetness and smiles to the start of a new campaign year). They then met with visiting guest speaker Gary Weinstein.
The former executive director of the Dallas (Texas) Jewish Federation and a seasoned Jewish communal professional with more than 40 years of fundraising and community building experience, Weinstein thanked the Cabinet members for caring, for giving, and for volunteering. Most especially, he thanked them for their willingness to ask others for gifts of support on behalf of the Tidewater Jewish community.
Weinstein reminded the group that Tidewater’s Federation is among the top 10% of all Federations in the country (more than 150!) in terms of per capita giving (essentially average gift size) and the number one Federation among like-sized (intermediate) communities. From his unique position in the Jewish world (as a traveling speaker, trainer, coach, and consultant), Weinstein visits many communities. He was thrilled to express that Tidewater is incredibly well-respected throughout the nation and that this success is due to the community’s leaders and volunteers, who all give generously and ask others to do the same.
It was a great start to what promises to be an amazing campaign year, with many finally emerging from homes to safely meet one another in person again. As is often the case, Women’s Cabinet was once more “out front” with some of the very first gifts of the new campaign year. The Cabinet challenges the Men’s Division, Young Leadership, and all others to give early and generously in the 2022 Campaign!
Amy Zelenka is United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s chief development officer.