On Sept. 16, close to 400 members of the Women’s Division came together for the Jewish United Fund’s 2015 Lion Luncheon at The Standard Club. The event featured a moving talk by Linor Abargil, former Miss World and leading global advocate against sexual violence.

Linda Fisher, campaign vice president of the 2015 Women’s Board, also spoke at the event. Her stirring remarks told the story of an emaciated Auschwitz inmate, who, upon being freed by American soldiers at the end of the war, cried out in anger with his last breath of strength, telling his liberators: “Ish payt! You’re too late!”

The tale is a cautionary one, Fisher said, drawing a parallel between the anti-Semitism of the 1930s and the burgeoning crisis faced today by Jews around the globe: “The names have changed and the places have changed, but for Jews, one aspect of our world has not: we are targets. We have received a bittersweet reminder that Jews share one common destiny as a people. We are one family. Now is our moment – we cannot afford to be too late.”

Several members of the Women’s Division also spoke, sharing their individual reasons for becoming Lions of Judah – women who support JUF’s important work through annual gifts of $5,000 or more.

“I have seen firsthand how JUF-funded agencies change the lives of people in need, and I treasure the way Lions connect to one another through our philanthropy,” said Shari Slavin. “We are women who care passionately about Jews in need, whether they live in Buffalo Grove or Beersheva, Belarus or Buenos Aires. We believe all Jews are responsible for one another.”

Ann-Louise Kleper, too, spoke about the power of being a Lion of Judah – and of wearing the iconic Lion pin.

“When it comes to inculcating values to children, what we do speaks louder than what we say,” said Kleper. “All of us make statements about what is important to us by where we live, how we dress and what clubs and organizations we join. Wearing the Lion pin is one of my most important statements.”

The luncheon also featured the presentation of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award, given biannually to women who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment. The 2014 award was presented to Edie Cadden by Wendy Abrams, president of the Women’s Board.

In her keynote, Abargil, a survivor of sexual violence herself and star of the Emmy-nominated documentary Brave Miss World, said she found strength in telling her personal story, and hopes her experience will bring critical attention to women’s issues.

“There’s a moment in your life when you think: it’s over. You think you’ll never smile again,” she said. “But I learned that women are strong. Unfortunately, we realize it in our worst moments. Only then do we realize how much power – how much strength – is inside us. It doesn’t matter who you are, how you look, where you come from; you can become your own hero.”

Susan Berk chaired the overall event, along with co-chairs Lori Komisar, Edie Cadden, Lisa Rubinstein, Jane Lederman, Andi Saffir, Laurie Lustbader, Gita Berk, Beth Gross, Trudy Jacobsen, Arlene Lewis, Wendy Nathan, Devra Resnick Shutan, and Tristin Goldberg.