The Power of Purpose: Jewish Women’s Philanthropy in Nashville and Beyond

Back in February, I was honored to participate in a special Fundraising Institute in Miami that was a joint venture between Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the University of Indiana’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.  I learned so much about the great work we do for our communities that it was almost like drinking from a firehose.  But there were two major takeaways that I gathered from that experience that were not necessarily part of the curriculum. 
 
The first was that of the 36 participants who had been selected, only two of them were men, including myself.  I was surrounded by some truly incredible women who had devoted their careers to helping to enrich their communities all over our country.  It was truly humbling to be in the presence of such accomplished, talented fundraisers, many of whom were major donors themselves.  

The second big takeaway was the display at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation of the founding of the Lions of Judah program by Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland back in 1972. Their vision, of women donating $5000 or more to their local Jewish Federations, resulted in an international movement that has raised over a billion dollars for communities all around the world, and over 20,000 women who have participated in the program. 
 
This year for Passover, I celebrated the second seder at the home of friend’s who tried a tradition that was a little bit different. They had an assortment of Haggadot and every guest was handed a unique book. There was a large range, from a Harry Potter-themed version, to the one I was given which was focused on the founding of the modern state of Israel. Sadly, there was no classic Maxwell House edition.  My wife Abby ended up getting a Haggadah that was feminist themed.  As she was reading through it, she saw a passage about Hannah Greenebaum Solomon and was intrigued about her work advocating with suffragists, especially those who were heavily-involved in the 1920 battle to ratify the 19th Amendment in Nashville.  And, as it happened, in addition to founding the National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW), she travelled to Nashville in 1901 to help Leah Lebeck organize a Nashville Section of the National Council.   
 
For generations, Jewish women have been the quiet architects of communal care—organizing, educating, giving, and leading with a blend of compassion and resolve. Today, their philanthropic spirit continues to shape the Jewish world in profound and visible ways, especially here in Nashville. 

Jewish women’s philanthropy is not new. Rooted in our tradition and propelled by the value of tzedakah (righteous giving), women have long played essential roles in sustaining Jewish life. From the tzedakah boxes kept in kitchens and bedrooms to the formation of sisterhoods, Hadassah chapters, and more, women’s giving has always been deeply personal, often familial, and unmistakably powerful. 

In Nashville, that legacy has taken a unique shape. In the mid-20th century, as the city’s Jewish population grew and evolved, Jewish women were at the forefront of building and sustaining institutions like the Jewish Community Center and local synagogues. Many remember the vital leadership of women in fundraising for the original JCC on West End Avenue, and later, the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Bellevue. Behind every major campaign, there were women making calls, hosting parlor meetings, organizing events—and writing checks. 

Here in Nashville, Jewish women’s philanthropy has blossomed into a dynamic force for change. Through the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, women have supported local programs for families in need, seniors, Holocaust education, Jewish summer camps, and global humanitarian efforts.  

Many of today’s community leaders—both lay and professional—point to the influence of Federation Women’s Philanthropy events, as their entry point into Jewish communal life. 

“Women’s philanthropy is not just about fundraising,” says Leslie Kirby, past president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and a longtime leader in women’s giving, “It’s about finding your voice, taking ownership of your values, and being part of something bigger than yourself.” 

One of the most significant impacts of Jewish women’s philanthropy in Nashville has been its focus on multigenerational leadership. Programs like the Pomegranate Society which comprises donors who give $1800 or more to our Annual Campaign, Lions of Judah, and community service projects encourage daughters, mothers, and grandmothers to engage in giving together. The message is clear: philanthropy is a Jewish value, and it is passed down from woman to woman, heart to heart. 

In an era where Jewish communities face new and evolving challenges—from antisemitism to rising needs in Israel and around the world—women’s philanthropy remains a source of strength and inspiration. “Our mothers and grandmothers didn’t wait for someone else to act,” says Susan Diamond, a past Lion of Judah honoree. “They rolled up their sleeves. They gave what they had. They made things happen. And so do we.” 

As Nashville’s Jewish community looks to the future, the women who lead and give continue to set the pace. With each campaign, each event, each act of generosity, they honor a legacy of strength and shape the next chapter of Jewish life—right here at home. 

And that is why we are so pleased to announce that our 2025 Annual Campaign Co-chair, Arlene Averbuch, was able to host the first Lion of Judah event our community has had in a number of years.  It’s just a start, as we have had many members of our community ask how they can get more involved, and to bring back our joint Lions and Pomegranate Society events.  We look forward to helping facilitate and provide spaces to ensure that Women’s Philanthropy continues to thrive in our community.