Herstory

Elluminate was created in 2022, to empower Jewish women feminist leaders and philanthropists working for social change through a gender and Jewish lens. Elluminate was formerly the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York (1995-2021) which in 2018 changed its funding model from providing grants to projects aimed at women’s advancement to becoming a catalyst for gender justice and social innovations supporting Jewish women training, elevating, supporting and connecting social entrepreneurs who are solving intractable problems with bold creative solutions in the US, Israel, and around the world.

In 2019, the organization launched The Collective, a leadership advancement program and created a global network bringing together leaders, advocates and philanthropists to envision a world in which all people are empowered to pursue their dreams eagerly, fearlessly, and joyfully. It also holds an annual Convening that brings together the Elluminate community to grapple with emergent issues through a gender lens.

Elluminate has created a unique and dedicated space for Jewish women leaders working for social change, filling a gap in the Jewish community. It is also a place where women can pursue their passion for their Jewish values of social justice, equity, and justice within a Jewish context and framework.

Our deep affirmation of Jewish ethics and values grounds our vision in our commitment to the pursuit of justice (tzedek), repairing the world (tikkun olam), and knowing that all people are made in the image of the divine (b’tzelem Elohim). These values shape our community (kehillah) and inform our approach to gender justice and social innovation.

Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York
The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York (JWFNY) was created in 1995. The founders of JWFNY, were inspired by their desire to support Jewish women and girls. They realized that traditional funding sources in the Jewish community were not being funneled to advance the standing of women and girls in need in the community and they not only sought a remedy, but they also envisioned the future of women’s philanthropy.

During this time JWFNY awarded over $6 million to more than 300 organizations that address issues related to body image, teen dating violence, bullying, the “stained glass ceiling,” Jewish education, mental and physical health, leadership development, financial literacy, business skill training, and more. Through grantmaking, education, and advocacy, it sought to create an environment of equality for women and girls in the areas of economic, religious, social, and political achievement.

JWFNY was a leading advocate for paid parental leave in NYS. Elluminate was the first foundation in the United States to publicly declare that organizations without at least four weeks of paid parental leave need not apply for funding. Elluminate helped organizations to develop parental leave policies to serve not only the parents, but the children as well.

In 2012, it created a giving circle called Isha Koach (Women of Strength) to give special attention to organizations and projects conceived of by Jewish women social entrepreneurs in the developing world, laying the groundwork for the creation of Elluminate.

To see our full grants history, click here.