Women’s Division

As part of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, the Women's Division offers educational, fundraising and community service projects. It is a forum for women; it provides a powerful, independent voice in decision-making and policy setting at the Jewish Federation; it helps to develop leadership skills; and it enables Jewish women to come together to build and improve the community in which we live.

Women’s Campaign
The UJC Federation Annual Women’s Campaign raises over 25% of the Annual Campaign that supports Jewish programs and social services in New Haven, Israel and in isolated Jewish communities around the world. Over and over we are challenged when women ask, "We make a family gift. Why should I make a gift in my own name?"

There is much in our tradition that instruct us about women's giving. Judaism teaches us to love learning, to do good deeds, to practice tzedakah (righteous giving) and to be responsible for one another. Each of us is responsible to help in making the world a more perfect place.

Women have always influenced and guided their family's giving. In the traditional Jewish family, one never heard the expression, "My husband gives". The Jewish woman classically accepted it as her obligation - not as a woman, but as an individual in her own right to help her fellow Jews.

Today, women from all walks of life have discovered the satisfaction, fulfillment and powerful impact that comes from an individual commitment. Through personal involvement, women are effecting policy and influencing change in our community.

Leadership
Many of today's community leaders took their first fledging steps in community service through Women's Division. With diverse volunteer opportunities, from hands on community service projects, to working on events and programs, to planning educational forums, to participating in the governing process as a board member, Women's Division affords it's participants the opportunity to learn self-confidence in their leadership ability, to develop their skills as planners, facilitators and orators and to establish themselves as respected contributors in the community. Many women have found that the personal growth they have experience through their participation in Women's Division has had a positive impact on their professional careers or on other areas of their lives.

Programs and Services
Women’s’ Division also provides for the development of leadership skills for its volunteers through the board and national conferences such as the International Lion of Judah Conference and the Regional Women’s Campaign Idea Exchange. Its volunteers understand that their involvement helps to define our community. They see that the development of women community leaders will help define the future of Judaism itself.

Women’s Division provides many opportunities for involvement. Each year, the Board defines its goals. This year, a special initiative resulted in Healthy Women / Healthy Lives, a daylong series of workshops on women’s health keynoted by Dr. Ruth Westheimer. The event was the result of a successful partnership between Women’s Division, the JCC, and Hadassah. Dozens of area organizations joined in sponsorship and many highly qualified physicians from our area volunteered their time to a grateful audience of nearly 1000 women.

OUTREACH / EDUCATION:
Conversations in my Kitchen -
Program to incorporate conversation, cooking and celebration of Jewish women. Each program has a learning compnenet about a Jeiwsh area of the world with the ethnic food of that region.

Parlor meetings
A series of small informational meetings usually held in private homes to inform and educate about the women's division and a women's commitment to the community

Jewish Parenting
A year-long program for parents and grandparents to have a safe place to talk about parenting issues with a Jewish theme

Midrash Study
An intimate group of women who study traditional text and modern day Midrash with Rabbi Reena Judd.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Jewish Literacy
A cooreindated effort with the Jewish Community Relations Council to train volunteers to become reading mentors at the Columbus School in Fair Haven.

Bruchim Habyaim
A revised Shalom basket program. Newcomers to the area receive a welcome basket of goodies and information about the community.

CAMPAIGN:
The Women's campaign raises over 22% of the annual campaign. Each woman in our community is asked to participate by making a financial gift to the Federation in their own name. There are many ways that people can become involved in the annual campaign.

  • Steering Committee
  • Lion of Judah
  • Pomegranate
  • Parlor meetings
  • Events

Are you new to the area? Do you know someone who is? We hope you will contact us at 203 387-2424 to receive a welcome basket courtesy of the Federation's Women's Division - our gift to you, and an opportunity to begin to meet your new neighbors.