United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 2025 Women’s Philanthropy Lion Tikva Chai Lunch took place on a cool, crisp day in the sunny and bright Fleishmann Lounge on the Sandler Family Campus.
This annual lunch is a thank you for all women donors at the $1,800+ level of giving, as well as for all women serving on the Women’s Philanthropy committee. Mona Flax, UJFT Annual Campaign chair and past Women’s Philanthropy chair, opened the lunch asking: “Who would have predicted where we would be a year from the last Lion Tikva Chai lunch?” citing October 7th, the hostages, and antisemitism – just a few of the horrific events taking place. “I think we can all agree these are anything but normal times and they haven’t been normal for over a year,” she said.
After pausing for a moment of reflection—in support and solidarity with Israel – Flax announced the campaign totals, which (as of November 12) stood at just more than $4.1million from 644 individual donors – an impressive increase of 5.7% from the same group of donors in last year’s campaign.
Jodi Klebanoff, also a past chair of UJFT’s Women’s Philanthropy, celebrated the milestone givers in the Women’s Campaign, which included:
• 2 new Emerald Lions of Judah (women giving $25,000+)
• 2 new Ruby Lions of Judah (women giving $10,000+)
• 2 new Israel@75 Level Lions of Judah (women giving $7,500+)
• 10 new Lions of Judah (women giving $5,000+)
• 2 new Tikvas (women giving $3,600+)
• 6 new Chai Society Donors (women giving $1,800+)
The names of the community’s Endowed Lions of Judah (LOJE’s) of blessed memory, were then recited – a tradition at this event.
After calling the names of the LOJE’s of blessed memory, women who many in the room knew and loved, Klebanoff declared each of them an Eshet Chayil – a woman of valor, whose memories “remain a blessing for our community and for each of us.”
Betty Ann Levin, UJFT executive vice president, then presented a special award to Karen Jaffe. The Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award (named for Lion of Judah founders Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland, of blessed memory) recognizes extraordinary women who’ve set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in their communities. Jaffe will “officially” be recognized for this award in January at the International Lion of Judah conference in Atlanta, alongside women from other Jewish communities across North America.
A role model and an inspiration for all who support and work on behalf of the Federation and its campaigns, Jaffe received plenty hearty “Mazel Tovs!” on this well deserved recognition.
Alicia London Friedman introduced the event speaker, Naama Sheffi, author of The Jewish Holiday Table and founder of the Jewish Food Society – a New York-based non-profit which preserves and celebrates Jewish culinary heritage through a digital recipe archive.
In addition to the Jewish Food Society, Sheffi launched a partner organization in Tel Aviv called Asif: The Culinary Institute of Israel, whose mission is to explore the diverse and creative food culture of Israel.
When Friedman asked Sheffi during their moderated discussion, “What was the event or particular moment in your life that inspired your career in food?” Sheffi immediately knew the answer. She recalled when her then-boyfriend (now husband) brought her home to meet his family. His “Nona” (grandmother) prepared the entire meal, somehow (as if by magic) fitting 18 family members around a table in a tiny Tel Aviv apartment, to enjoy a special Shabbat dinner. When Sheffi (who was raised on a kibbutz, and was not accustomed to delicious food) asked about the recipes, Nona explained they were all inside her head – nothing was written. For Sheffi to learn to prepare them, Nona demonstrated. Over the years, Sheffi wrote down as many recipes as she could. The result was her landing in the culinary field as both a chef and an archivist.
The women enjoyed a terrific sampling of Sheffi’s recipes – pulled from her cookbook and catered by the Cardo Café (Sheila Swartwood assisted by Chad Eichelberger). Everyone chatted about how unique the flavors were and which dishes they liked best.
The event was another example of Jewish Tidewater’s generousity, warmth, enthusiasism, and passion about the work it does to build and strengthen the Jewish people. Even Naama Sheffi acknowledged the warm, hospitable feeling she got as soon as she arrived on the Sandler Family Campus.
Linda Ausch is UJFT Women’s Campaign director.
