Lynn Branfman continues to make an impact


Lynn Branfman, immediate past president of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey (JWF)—an affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey (JFED) funding organizations that address issues through a gender and Jewish lens—was invited to join a JWF meeting in 2017. At that meeting, a guest speaker from Israel spoke about how JWF helped fund an Israel Defense Force program for Israeli youth.

“…I could see [how JWF] could make an immediate impact in improving lives, and thus became interested in joining this organization,” said Branfman.

Ever since, Branfman has continued to participate in JWF. She eventually served as JWF grants chair, and then as overall chair of JWF for two years.

Each year, during JWF meetings, members pore over applications from organizations from around the world to determine which initiatives JWF will fund for the year. Funds are made possible by JWF’s membership fees. Programs that the JWF members typically select for funding focus on self-esteem and empowerment, health, leadership, and Jewish identity.

Branfman explained, for example, that this year JWF granted funds for a care team at JCC Camps at Medford to address the mental health crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, among approximately 900 female campers and teen counselors. Additionally, a JWF grant to Katz JCC in Cherry Hill will support ongoing mental health counseling, exercise classes, social activities, and more for older women at risk.

“…I’ve gained so much by getting to know the dedicated women of [JWF],” said Branfman. “As we seek to support programs that empower those identifying as Jewish women and girls, locally, nationally, and abroad, [we feel like we are] truly making a difference in individuals’ lives. We hope that more women in the Jewish community will join us in this very worthwhile and heartwarming work.”

For more information about, or to become a member of, JWF, contact Martha Karasick, JFED director of philanthropy, at mkarasick@jfedsnj.org or (856) 751-9500, ext. 1291.

Additional information is also available at www.jewishsouthjersey.org/jwf.

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