Dec 19, 2023
Lion of Judah Endowment Achieves Milestone
Miami’s Jewish women are highly dedicated to fulfilling the mitzvah of tzedakah, even beyond their own lifetimes — and it shows. As of this week, 250 women have signed commitments to perpetuate their Lion of Judah-level contributions to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign, making them Forever Lions.
This major achievement was the goal of Federation Board member Mikki Futernick when she created the Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE) program in 1992. “At the time we started the program, when legacy giving was not widely promoted nationally, I thought we women in Miami could make a real difference and show the way,” said Futernick. “Back then, $100,000 was a lot of money for a woman to give to a charity. I thought if we were to get at least 250 women to do that through a variety of financial vehicles, these Forever Lions would ultimately be responsible for more than $1 million each year to the Annual Campaign ... forever! Dreams do come true!”
Today, the Forever Lion program is chaired by Tammy Woldenberg, who is grateful for the leadership of the women who came before her. “From its creator, Mikki, to the visionary women who succeeded her — including my predecessors, Shelly Brodie and Fran Berrin, our LOJE Committee and so many others — I have been inspired to leave my own Jewish legacy,” said Woldenberg. “My hope is that our number of Forever Lions will only continue to grow as more and more women realize how easy it is to support Jewish needs in this meaningful way — in Miami, in Israel and around the world.”
The Lion of Judah program was also a revolutionary idea in 1972 when it was created in Miami by Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland (both of blessed memory). Women would donate at least $5,000 each year to the Annual Campaign, an amount determined because it then cost $5,000 to rescue a family of four from the Soviet Union and help them immigrate to Israel.
Since its creation more than 50 years ago, the Lion of Judah program has grown in popularity and prominence, with more than 18,000 women around the globe making an annual commitment to their local Jewish Federation. The gold Lion of Judah pin has become an internationally recognized symbol of philanthropy, commitment, Jewish values and sisterhood. A woman’s Forever Lion commitment is represented with the addition of a flame on her Lion pin, Or L’Atid, showing the world that she is a "light unto the future" and her commitment to the Jewish people through the Annual Campaign will extend far beyond her lifetime.
To learn more about becoming a Forever Lion, contact Jill Hagler, Director of Foundation Development at jhagler@gmjf.org or 786.866.8627.
