Greater New Haven Jewish women have a wonderful opportunity to become lifelong philanthropists through the Women of Vision Society -- a permanent, restricted endowment fund dedicated to helping and enhancing the lives of women in our community. Created in 1996 by 100 founding members, the endowment and has since then more than doubled in its membership and giving. To date, over $230,000 has been distributed in grants to a wide variety of agencies and causes, ranging from employment and literacy to acculturation and health issues.
2023 GRANT AWARDS
• Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven – Dignity Grows
Dignity Grows mobilizes volunteers to assemble and distribute free, reusable totes filled with a month’s supply of basic menstrual and hygiene products. This program partners with local organizations, like Jewish Family Service and the Diaper Bank, to distribute supplies to the women who need them.
• Yashar LaChayal – Female Hareidi Lone Soldier Project
Yashar LaChayal launched this initiative in 2019 to support female ultra-orthodox lone soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). These young women aren’t supported by their families due to their decision to serve in the IDF. The Lone Soldier Project provides them with housing and a support system during and after their service.
• The Feuerstein Institute – Aim Higher: The Feuerstein Academic Integration Program for Young Women from the Ultra-Orthodox Community
Aim Higher assists ultra-orthodox women to access higher education. They equip students with cognitive, social and academic resources to ensure the successful completion of their degrees. Beyond university, the aim is to encourage career specialization and economic security.
• The Towers at Tower Lane – Adopt a Bubbe: An Intergenerational Jewish Program for Women and Girls
This is a project in collaboration with Southern CT Hebrew Academy and Bais Chana Academy. This monthly program pairs female elementary and high school students with female residents at the Towers who are interested and in need of meaningful social connection and engagement. Each session will focus on a Jewish holiday or theme. Fun, achievable and meaningful activities will provide the setting for friendships, mentorship and reduction of isolation. Each session will include some education appropriate for both seniors and participating students.
• B’nai B’rith Youth Organization – Empowering BBG* Leaders at Convention
To provide specific programming for girls at the BBYO convention. This will include mental health and wellness, transferable leadership skills, programs designed to build inclusive communities, build a positive culture of sisterhood within convention participants, and encourage healthy relationships. *B’nai B’rith Girls • Elm City Kallah – Elm City Kallah Scholar in Residence Elm City Kallah is a multi-shul collaboration. The event will take place at two Conservative and one Orthodox synagogue (Congregation BEKI, Congregation B’nai Jacob, and Westville Synagogue) and feature Rory Picker Neiss. The event will be from October 27-29, 2023 and is open to Jews of all backgrounds and traditions. The participants will be invited to pray, sing, eat and study at each synagogue. The hope is that we will build bridges among women of all traditions in order to foster a robust Jewish community.
• I.D.F.* Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO) – Community Building for Young I.D.F. Widows Through specifically designed programs, this initiative aims to establish a strong community for widows of I.D.F. soldiers and members of the Israeli security forces with children age 21 and younger. This initiative will work to encourage personal growth through a variety of enriching activities to bring this vulnerable community together and empower them to support themselves.
