Fed in Focus

Women’s Campaign Update

Generations of Women Show Their Support at
the Federation’s L’Dor V’dor & Sephardic
Divisions Luncheon

Alison Ullendorf, L’Dor V’Dor co-chair; Vaughan Meyer, L’Dor V’Dor chair; guest speaker Ken Stein; Gayle Weiss, L’Dor V’Dor vice chair; and Tali Diamond, L’Dor V’Dor co-chair.

Marcia Mankoff, 2008 recipient of The Doris Factor Young Leadership Award, and Sue Meltzer, Sylvia Weisz Women’s Campaign chair.

On Wednesday, March 12, several generations of Federation women gathered together for the Sylvia Weisz Women’s Campaign’s annual L’Dor V’Dor
& Sephardic Divisions luncheon. This marked the first time the
two divisions collaborated together as partners on the
event.

Over a delicious lunch at The Beverly Hills Hotel, more than 300 generous Federation
women enjoyed a presentation
by special guest speaker
Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, who gave a firsthand account of the Carter book controversy and what he feels is an intellectual assault
on Israel on university
campuses and on society in general. He also discussed
his beliefs that Jewish communities have a responsibility to educate our
children about Israel.

Rae Cohen, Sephardic Division co-chair and Cathy Halfon, 2008 Esther Award Recipient.

Dr. Stein, a world-renowned author, educator and Middle
East Expert, recently severed
his 23-year relationship with President Jimmy Carter over opinions expressed in Carter’s controversial bestseller, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Prior to that, Stein had worked closely with Carter both as Middle East Fellow of the Carter Center (an institution Stein helped shape) and co-author of their book, The Blood of Abraham.

Two women were honored at the luncheon for their Federation involvement: Marcia Mankoff received the 2008 Doris Factor Young Women’s Leadership Award and Catherine Halfon was the 2008 recipient of the Federation’s Sephardic Division Esther Award.

After the luncheon, Mankoff discussed how it felt to be honored for her commitment to the Federation. “The Federation has been a meaningful part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I feel honored to be part of the important work that they provide our community, Israel and beyond,” she said. “To be recognized publicly for my commitment to doing my part is the icing on the cake. Receiving this year's Doris Factor Young Women's Leadership Award is confirmation that I have been making the difference I had hoped I could.”

“The luncheon was wonderful, and especially meaningful to me, as I looked out from the podium and saw three generations of my family supporting me,” she added. “There was a special energy in the room, and many women who were there have approached me since to find out how they can get more involved in the community. That, to me, is a successful luncheon!”

For more information, please contact Merav Kaplan at (323) 761-8306 or MKaplan@JewishLA.org.