Lion of Judah Co-Chair Fran Lasky, center, and Joan Benstock, far right, welcome some of our new Lions: Leah Bergoffen, Debbie Sokolov and Zina Rosenblum.

Our annual Lion of Judah luncheon, held November 28, 2006, raised $49,000 for the Women’s Philanthropy campaign for the Jewish Federation of Pinellas/Pasco Counties, bringing the Lions 2007 pledges to $382,730.

The event was held at the home of Amy Epstein and featured Rani Garfinkle, Chair of National Women’s Philanthropy at United Jewish Communities (UJC), as the guest speaker. Garfinkle relayed touching anecdotes of her experiences during some of her many missions to Israel and the former Soviet Union.

Thelma Rothman, our community’s winner of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, received her award at the luncheon in a special presentation. Thelma had not been able to attend the International Lion of Judah Conference where this award is traditionally presented, and so greatly enjoyed the honor surrounded by all our local Lions in attendance – including her two daughters!

Thelma Rothman (center), winner of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, shares a big smile with her daughters and fellow Lions of Judah, Carol Lane and Margie Green.

Event chairs Fran Lasky and Betty Weintraub were pleased to recognize our newest Lions: Leah Bergoffen, Zina Rosenblum, Robyn Greenberg, Debbie Sokolov and Sherry Schwartz. The Jewish Federation of Pinellas/Pasco Counties is now 52 Lions of Judah strong.

For more information about Lion of Judah, contact Barbara Kessler at the Federation office, 530-3223 or bkessler@jewishpinellas.org.