One Voice: Jewish Women for Israel, JOFA, New York City
Newly created in 2002, One Voice is a coalition of American Jewish women’s organizations united in support of Israel. The organizations represent a broad spectrum of Jewish political and religious views, all of which support a strong US-Israel relationship and are committed to fighting terrorism, anti-Semitism, bigotry, and racism.

Projects to date have included the inaugural event, a national call-in day to Congress in support of Israel in June 2002 called “Take Five: Call Congress for Israel,” and a follow-up call-in to the President in September 2002. Targum Shlishi’s funding was used to help publicize the inaugural event: advertisements were placed in 16 Jewish-American newspapers. www.onevoice4Israel.org

Harvard Hillel, Jewish Superwomen: Living in Two Realms Conference,
Harvard University, Cambridge
What is a Jewish Superwoman? This national collegiate Jewish women’s conference, hosted by the Harvard Hillel, addressed that question. The conference, which took place over the course of a weekend, focused on modern Jewish women’s balance between living Jewish and secular lives.

Speakers and discussion leaders presented 18 workshops and several lectures exploring a wide range of thought-provoking topics. “Personally, the speakers hit the heart of my troubles,” said Rebecca Rakow, co-chair of the conference and a 2001 Harvard graduate. “They showed me and others that religious and secular life do not have to be in conflict with one another if one really wants them both to be part of one’s life.”

Workshops included “Weaving Together Torah and Psychology,” an examination of how Torah can teach us about ourselves, our choices, and our relationships; “Ima on the Bimah,” a look at the balancing act between career and motherhood; and “Superwomen Who Founded the State of Israel,” which surveyed some of the lesser-known women who were instrumental in the founding of Israel.

In addition to the workshops, several prominent speakers addressed various aspects of the Jewish woman question. US Assistant Surgeon General Susan Blumenthal and playwright Wendy Wasserstein were among the speakers. Targum Shlishi’s funding not only “made the conference happen,” according to Ms. Rakow, but the foundation’s support “will affect Jewish women’s programs at Harvard Hillel for many years to come. The generous donation was applied to subsidizing conference fees for attendees, bringing in renowned speakers…and advertising the conference. A good portion of the donation provided the means for a new Jewish Women’s Studies section of the Hillel library.” www.hillel.harvard.edu

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