ELLUMINATE’S 2023 CONVENING WILL EXPLORE ROLE OF JEWISH WOMEN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS ADDRESSING CRITICAL GLOBAL CHALLENGES

For Immediate Release
Contact: Glenn Rosenkrantz
646.245.8975, [email protected]

ELLUMINATE’S 2023 CONVENING WILL EXPLORE ROLE OF JEWISH WOMEN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS ADDRESSING CRITICAL GLOBAL CHALLENGES

In the Wake of the Oct 7 Attack, an Opportunity to Support and Stand with Jewish Women Leaders in Israel

New York – Oct. 30, 2023 – Against a background of accumulating local, national and global challenges and crises demanding fresh and inventive solutions as well as inspired leadership, the Elluminate community will gather for its fifth annual Convening on Nov. 2 in New York, focused on the theme of ”Building a Movement for Impact.”

The Convening, from 9 am to 3 pm, will take place in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel, which has sent shockwaves of grief and acts of solidarity throughout the worldwide Jewish community. The gathering will be a timely opportunity for Jewish women to come together in unity with Israel as they grapple with navigating our world, Elluminate leaders said, noting that more than a quarter of the Jewish women leaders and organizations that Elluminate invests in are in Israel.

The Convening will bring together Jewish women leaders from around the world with philanthropists, advocates and individuals committed to empowering and elevating Jewish women social entrepreneurs applying a gender lens and Jewish values to develop and advance approaches to existing and emerging social issues — from poverty and reproductive choice, to gun violence and human trafficking, among others.

“This Convening is critically important for innumerable reasons, not the least of which is the recognition of the immeasurable passion and impact of Jewish women in Israel and elsewhere leading social change and responding to current needs and imperatives,“ said Melanie Roth Gorelick, CEO of Elluminate, formerly known as the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York.

“Our focus is on building a strong network and movement of feminist philanthropists and Jewish women leaders working to create a more equitable and diverse Jewish community and society based on our Jewish values of justice and Tikkun Olam. Our aim is to create a tapestry of women using a gender lens to lead and effect change on a range of issues.”

Speakers at The Convening come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and issue areas. Among them: Neshama Carlebach, a singer, songwriter and educator who has addressed social issues in the United States and Israel; New York State Senator Shelley Mayer; Julie F. Kay, Executive Director of Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine and co-author of Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom; Julia Jassey, CEO of Jewish on Campus; Lauren Brathwaite, Content Editor at Philanthropy News Digest; PeiYao Chen, Senior Vice President at the Global Fund for Women; and a representative from the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations. A full list of speakers is at https://elluminatewomen.org/convening2023.

The Convening is one pillar of Elluminate’s commitment to educate, engage and strengthen Jewish women social entrepreneurs and their network. Currently, Elluminate’s focus is ending the feminization of poverty, advocating for diversity and inclusivity in the Jewish world and larger society, advancing equality and democracy for women in Israel, and ensuring gender justice, including reproductive rights and women’s safety from abuse.

“Elluminate is unique as a philanthropic organization focused on enhancing the standing and capacities of Jewish women as change makers and leaders,” said Stephanie Garry, President of Elluminate.

“The 2023 Convening will feature high level experts and risk-taking sheroes, grassroots leaders and other activist women and their supporters. It is also an opportunity to highlight the women and the issues of our Collective members and network. Given current events, our work and their real and potential impact are more important and needed than ever.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Elluminate’s current cohort of Collective members. The Collective is Elluminate’s signature leadership advancement program, which selects ten Jewish women executive social entrepreneurs each year who are using a gender lens to advance change and impact across a wide range of pressing societal issues and challenges.   Currently, 50 women are in Elluminate’s Collective network, established in 2019.

Individuals committed to empowering and elevating Jewish women social entrepreneurs are encouraged to join Elluminate at the Convening and participate in a dynamic network of Jewish women visionaries and philanthropists for idea exchange, support and collaboration.

The Convening on Nov. 2 takes place 9 am to 3 pm ET both online and in person at UJA-Federation of New York, 130 East 59 th Street in New York City. A full program, list of speakers and registration form is at https://elluminatewomen.org/convening2023. Registration closes on October 31st.  

About Elluminate: Elluminate (formerly the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York) empowers trailblazing Jewish entrepreneurial women and visionary feminist philanthropists in their pursuit of systemic social change in the U.S. and beyond. Bringing together a diverse coalition of bold women, we address the unique challenges faced by female leaders, ensuring that they are supported and elevated as they battle to change the world. Together, we work as a force multiplier for vital social change, fostering collaboration, strengthening leadership capabilities, magnifying voices, and accelerating transformational influence and impact. www.elluminatewomen.org