
If you were listening carefully on Sunday, January 12, through Tuesday, January 14, you could hear an unusual sound that rocked Atlanta. And if you were in the Marriott Marquis Convention Center during that time, you could identify that sound as a loud collective roar of 1,700 proud and passionate Lions of Judah.
This group of extraordinarily caring, inspiring, and philanthropic Jewish women gathered from across the globe, as they do every two years at the International Lion of Judah Conference (ILOJC). Together they learned, they shared their experiences, ideas, and values, and demonstrated their unwavering commitment to helping Jews in their own communities, in Israel, and around the world.
As a Lion of Judah since 2006, I was fortunate to attend International Lion of Judah Conferences as part of the delegation from the Jewish Federation of Central NJ, before merging with MetroWest in 2012. Since that time, I have attended this bi-annual event as a proud member of the Greater MetroWest delegation, along with generous women and incredible leaders from my former and newer communities. While every ILOJC has been a meaningful experience for me, this year was truly special.
I was honored to Co-Chair our Greater MetroWest delegation as more than 46 Lions of Judah and several incredible professional staff members began an amazing three-day journey together. Many seasoned conference goers and “newbies” began bonding at the airport, on the plane, and while snacking in our Greater MetroWest concierge suite before the conference even began. We were excited to be together and to celebrate Maxine Murnick, our Kipnis Wilson Friedland Award recipient. This prestigious award is given by National Women’s Philanthropy, and each Federation nominates an inspiring leader from their community as their recipient…truly an incredible honor. As wonderful as it was being with my longtime friends, viewing the conference through the eyes of the “first timers” was especially moving for me.
Together we listened intently to the inspiring words spoken by President Herzog’s wife, we wiped away tears while Rachel Goldberg Polin spoke so lovingly about her beautiful son Hersh, we applauded two remarkable non-Jewish Women of Valor who risked their own safety to stand up for Jews, and we held our breath with members of hostage families as the cease fire deal was just unfolding. Together we danced, we sang, we celebrated, we learned from one another, we expressed personal feelings with one another, and we returned home to our Greater MetroWest community with cherished memories that we will continue to share and carry forward with us.