The Goodman Family Foundation has launched the Rosalind Goodman LOJE 25 Legacy Project, in memory of the beloved Federation CJA volunteer leader, which is designed to encourage a greater role for women in philanthropy and community leadership.
The initiative coincides with 25th anniversary of the Federation CJA Women’s Philanthropy division’s Lion of Judah Endowment.
The two-year campaign “seeks to empower Jewish women as philanthropists and community leaders through mentorship and education, with the goal of inspiring at least 25 women in each community to commit to endowing their Lion of Judah before December 2020.”
Goodman, who died in 2014, was instrumental in bringing the Lion of Judah Society to Montreal and was dedicated to fostering young leaders within Women’s Philanthropy. She received the Federation’s highest honour, the Samuel Bronfman Medal, for her longtime service.
With her husband, Goodman co-founded the Morris & Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, which supports hundreds of charitable organizations across Canada.
Today, Morris Goodman and their children, David, Jonathan, Debbie Goodman Davis and Shawna Goodman Sone, together with their spouses and children, carry on Rosalind’s legacy.
“Studies show that, statistically, women are living longer than men and are often double inheritors: from both their husbands and their parents. Women are projected to control some 60 per cent of wealth in the near future, and even now, a very high percentage of women are controlling foundations. It was important to our mother, and now to us, to educate women about the power they have to help shape our community’s future,” said Goodman Davis.
The family previously honoured Goodman’s legacy by establishing the Roz Goodman Legacy Award, which is given to an emerging leader who is a Lion of Judah and has committed her time to the organization in a significant way. There have been four recipients of the annual award so far.
READ: FEDERATION CJA HONOURS COMMUNITY LEADERS
The Legacy Project will build on that award by mentoring and educating lay leaders and professionals about the importance of not only giving an individual gift, but also creating an endowment through the Lion of Judah, especially while young.
“Having experienced the loss of our mother, we’re craving opportunities to celebrate her life and work,” said Goodman Sone. “She loved befriending and mentoring young leaders and she believed so strongly in Jewish continuity. This project is a wonderful way to perpetuate her legacy as a role model.”
To learn more about Lion of Judah Endowment, contact Kim Garzon at 514-345-6407 or [email protected].
