As some of you may know, I actually have two part time jobs.
I am very privileged to be a member of the JWCAtlanta team, and I am also part of the administrative cohort at a girls high school called Temima.
We just successfully concluded our annual fundraising effort.
In the euphoric moments after we reached our goal I had two interactions.
The first was with someone who thanked me for my efforts but immediately launched into an analysis of the average gift that was given. To his point, many of the gifts were small, and even though their were many small gifts and we did reach our goal, we needed to research this phenomenon and work on raising the size of each gift.
That conversation, while well meaning, left me depleted and strangely depressed.
Fortunately, there was another interaction amongst the team members who have been in the trenches together. This team of women and students, banded together to create energy and support.
When done, we all complimented one another, said job well done, and heaved a collective sigh of relief as we celebrated the amazing students who all pulled together and made our campaign a success.
That conversation left me elated, proud and grateful, with an emphasis on hope for the future - these young women will change the world.
This evening I also had an opportunity to hear from four women who shared their thoughts about Jewish philanthropy and legacy.
As matriarchs, they are keepers of the family wisdom, and by sharing their stories, they have the opportunity to nurture future generations.
Each of the four panelists, Raya Zalik, Etta Raye Hirsch, Cathy Selig and Candy Berman, shared their unique story of philanthropic endeavors. They focused on the lessons they learned from the past and the hopes of the impact they will leave on the future.
Tzedaka, charity or philanthropy, are clearly an important driver in their lives, and the desire to pass that passion their children, is the ultimate focus.

Rabbi Moshe Taragin gives us some insights into the Purim story and its protagonists.
Mordechai was the leader of the Jews in Shushan. As the story unfolds, Mordechai realizes that Esther is the key to saving the Jews from annihilation, and he commands Esther to go to Achashveirosh to plead on behalf of their people. When Esther hesitates, Mordechai rebukes her and tells her this is her destiny, and if she fails to go, the Jews will be saved from another avenue, but she and her future legacy will be lost.
Mordechai is managing the campaign here. His vision is leading the way.
Yet, the Megilla is called after Esther, should it not be named Megillat Mordechai if he is the leader?
Rabbi Tarragin says this is due to Esther’s reaction.
After Mordechai rebukes Esther, she not only took action, Esther also picked up the mantle of leadership by creating a plan of action of her own.
This plan included bringing the entire Jewish people into the solution.
Esther recognized the power of each individual, the value of each donation no matter how small, to achieve the goal.
Esther knew that the unity of the Jewish people could overcome any challenge, any circumstance, no matter how dire. Esther told Mordechai to gather all the Jews and have them fast and pray together on her behalf.
“Esther reminds us that Jewish salvation hinges not on the heroic actions of individuals,but on the individual’s ability to inspire the rest of the people to identify with the mission”
In Rabbi Tarragin’s words,
“Esther went from passive directed to proactive director” and for the rest of the Megillah she plays the driving force.
She teaches us that even those who are initially led by others have a responsibility to consider the situation and take the reins of collaborative leadership when necessary.
Esther left us a legacy.
She mandated the collaboration of the Jewish nation.
In the beginning of the Megillah we are identified as a people who are separated from one another.
Esther brings us all together as we celebrate the mitzvot of the day. These mitzvot include a feast which is a meal which unites us, gifts to the poor where as Raya Zaliktaught us this evening, is a gift and privilege to help our brothers and sisters, our family, who may be in need. And we have the Mitzva of bringing food gifts to our friends and neighbors which are designed to engender closeness and feelings of connection and unity.
It is powerful to note that the legacy of matriarchs past and present is alive and well.
Esther’s long term impact is felt generations later as women of our community continue to follow in her footsteps and teach us how to nurture and make an impact.
And, the younger generation of women is taking note!
They are collaborating and collecting each small donation they find, realizing that our strength is found in seizing upon and appreciating the gifts everyone brings to the table, no matter how small.
Each is meaningful!
That is a source of elation and hope for us all.
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!