The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago kicked off its 20th anniversary year on Jan. 18, with nearly 100 trustees and guests attending JWF’s Annual Meeting. The event included “Funny, You Don’t Look Like a Rabbi: Tales from the Sacred Calling” — a conversation with speakers Rabbi Alysa Mendelson Graf and Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr about the historic significance of women in the rabbinate .

Frances Horwich, who became a Multigenerational Trustee and a member of the Five Sisters Legacy Society in 2016, was recognized for her dedication and contribution to JWF. She has provided resources and leadership for over 50 years through her support of the Jewish United Fund, the Jewish Community Center of Chicago, Brandeis University, and local arts organizations.

“Of her many involvements, however, Frances is especially proud of being a founding lifetime trustee of the Jewish Women’s Foundation,” said Nancy Kohn, JWF Chair.

“Frances and Franklin (her late husband) Horwich each came from families with strong Jewish backgrounds and active involvement in the Jewish community. They were driven by a deeply ingrained commitment to help those in need,” Kohn said “They sustained and grew that tradition, and have instilled it in the next generation.”

Horwich and her two daughters, five granddaughters, and four great-granddaughters, are now JWF trustees, Kohn noted. Horwich will receive a Miriam’s Cup to commemorate her generosity and commitment to JWF.

Gerri Kahnweiler, JWF immediate past chair, was also honored. She received a Tzedakah box in recognition of her leadership. A multigenerational trustee and member of the newly-established Five Sisters Legacy Society, a community of Jewish women who are making JWF a defining part of their charitable legacies, Kahnweiler has served in numerous leadership positions and on every JWF committee.

“It is an understatement to say that Gerri’s vast knowledge of all things JWF, combined with her wisdom and institutional history, make her an invaluable asset to the Foundation,” Kohn said.

Focusing on JWF’s 20th anniversary theme, “Celebrating 20 years of bold, innovative grantmaking,” Ellen Carmell, JWF Executive Director, reflected on the way JWF has helped empower women and girls while effecting social change at the individual, institutional and communal levels. Since 1997, JWF has doubled its capacity to make grants to organizations and projects serving Jewish women and girls, with a focus in three areas: economic security and legal reform; education and leadership development; and health and well-being.

“Social change is hard, and it’s slow,” Carmell said. “Even with JWF’s significant two-decade record of impact, our work feels more urgent and more critical than ever.”

Carmell highlighted upcoming events of the year-long 20th

anniversary celebration that include a two-day event with dinner, theater, and ideas exchange in April; a leadership luncheon with the Jewish United Fund Women’s Division in July; and “Marketing the Movement,” a stakeholders’ workshop in November.

Mendelson and Schorr expressed appreciation for JWF’s work in the broader Jewish community.

“You tackle the least sexy issues,” Schorr said. “Mazal tov on 20 years. May you use the next 100 years to seek out the injustices, even when they are not the popular causes, to be the voice of those who cannot speak and to restore their voices … and to continue to bring light to our darkened world.”

The Jewish Women’s Foundation is an independent project of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. The Foundation seeks to expand and improve opportunities and choices in all aspects of Jewish women’s and girls’ lives through strategic and effective grantmaking. The Foundation empowers Jewish women as leaders, funders, and decision-makers.

For information, visit http://www.juf.org/jwf/.