Hear Me Roar

Hear Me Roar is a new regular feature in both Mosaic and Federation in Focus. Every month, The Jewish Federation will spotlight two Lions of Judah who have committed themselves to supporting the Federation through their time and generosity.

Lion of Judah is an international group of women who make an annual minimum gift of $5,000 to the Annual Campaign. The Lion of Judah pin, worn with pride by thousands of women, is one of the most recognized and distinguished symbols of shared commitment to the strength and vitality of the Jewish people. Lions of Judah play an essential role in creating social justice, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and building Jewish identity.

For more information on the Sylvia Weisz Women’s Campaign, please contact Amy Popkin at (323) 761-8203 or APopkin@JewishLA.org.

For more information on the Valley Alliance Women’s Campaign, please contact John Magoulas at (818) 464-3263 or JMagoulas@JewishLA.org.

• Alison Diamond
• Helene Woldenberg

Alison Diamond – Hear Me Roar

I’ve been a Lion since 2007.

I first got involved with the Federation when I played golf at El Caballero Country Club’s playday in 2001.

I’m a Lion because The Jewish Federation funds many worthwhile agencies.

You can usually find me exercising!

I’m passionate about The Jewish Federation!

My favorite book is Beach Music by Pat Conroy.

The song playing in my head is “Mercy” by Duffy.

A movie I could watch over and over is Born Yesterday with William Holden and Billie Holiday.

My favorite thing to eat is Italian food.

My proudest accomplishment is my children.

When I wear my Lion pin, I am proud of my commitment to The Jewish Federation and all the people it assists.

I feel being a Lion is a wonderful role model for my children and my friends.

My favorite season is all four seasons! I’m happy to be here and have a wonderful life – I’m very fortunate and blessed.

If I could meet anyone from history it would be Princess Diana, because of her humanitarian and philanthropic efforts to help people have better lives.

Any guilty pleasures we should know about? I love ice cream and frozen yogurt!

What’s something you do every day? I walk my dog, Buffy (an Airedale) every day.

What’s the greatest invention of all time? The Internet, because it allows me to communicate with friends and family at any time, at any place all around the world.

What is the strangest job you’ve ever held? Babysitting a pet monkey!

The woman in my life who’s had the greatest influence on me is my mother. My mom’s optimism, caring, love, commitment to family and friends, and love of life are completely inspiring.

Helene Woldenberg – Hear Me Roar

I’ve been a Lion since 2007, a little while after my family moved to Los Angeles from Texas.

When did you first get involved in the Federation? My earliest memory of the Federation is when I was about 12 or 13 years old, I remember accompanying my mother to the San Antonio airport to pick up Russian immigrants.

For many years, I wasn’t very involved, because I was at university and I was living in Mexico, but shortly after I moved back to Texas in the early nineties I immediately got involved in the Federation.

When I moved to Los Angeles, I started asking around about how to get involved, and the Federation was one of the first places I called. Someone I knew from San Antonio gave me a couple numbers to call here in L.A., and through her I got in touch with some fundraisers and that’s how it all started!

I’m a Lion because it’s important to me to be involved, and I decided when I moved here that it was time for me to move up to that level (of giving). I was not a Lion in San Antonio, but it was something I had wanted to do for a while. I feel very strongly about what the Federation does for the community and for Israel. I felt it was important – if I have the opportunity and I’m able to, I want to do my part to help.

You can usually find me outside. I enjoy being outdoors and love taking long walks.

I’m passionate about traveling. I’m a people person, so I love to be around people. I like to work out – I’m very active. I don’t like to sit still, I’m always on the go!

The song playing in my head is a song that my kids wrote. They sing and they write music, so it’s a song that I always hear around here called "This Boy." I have sixteen-year old twin boys – their names are Sam and Max.

A movie I could watch over and over is The Wizard of Oz. It reminds me of my childhood because I watched it so many times growing up! It reminds me of how simple life used to be.

My favorite thing to eat is Chinese food.

My proudest accomplishment is my family. I’m a dentist by profession, but I think my proudest accomplishment is raising kids who are good leaders in the community and who are good people. I’m proud that my kids have always taken the right track in life and gone the right direction.

When I wear my Lion pin, I feel proud and have a wonderful feeling inside my heart!

Being a Lion gives me a great sense of satisfaction that I am able to make a difference. It also makes me feel good on a very personal level. It’s a great feeling, like a warmth inside, knowing that I am able to help.

My favorite season is summer. You have more free time, you’re not on such a schedule… it’s more relaxing.

If I could meet anyone from history, it would be Anne Frank. Her diary has been a great influence on the teachings of the Holocaust. Many young people are able to have a better understanding of what happened after hearing it from someone their own age that they may have shared things in common with.

Any guilty pleasures we should know about? You mean like chocolate? I guess I shouldn’t feel guilty about it! I love chocolate chip cookies. I’m one of those people who will dig out every piece of cookie dough or chocolate chip from the ice cream in the freezer and then put it back!

What’s something you do everyday? I hug and kiss my family.

What’s the greatest invention of all time? I would say the greatest inventions are the different forms of transportation – airplanes, space shuttles, cars, etc. Transportation has been able to bring the world closer and make it more accessible.

What is the strangest job you’ve ever held? I can’t think of any. All my jobs have been pretty mainstream.

The people in my life who have most influenced me are my family. They have always encouraged me to get involved.