Cutting-edge, renowned playwright and activist Eve Ensler, best known for “The Vagina Monologues,” will provide a fitting keynote as the innovative Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County (JWF) announces the recipients of their third cycle of grant awards to improve the opportunities, choices and status of Jewish women and girls. The annual “Granting Wishes” program and cocktail reception will be held at 5:30 pm on March 12, at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton. The cost to attend is $60 for Trustees and guests, or $65 for others.
 
“We are delighted to bring such an exciting speaker to our community on the 10th anniversary of ‘Monologues’’ Broadway opening. So many have seen the play, but far fewer have seen Eve Ensler perform, or are aware that she is as a prominent international women’s rights advocate,” said Event Co-chair Sheila Fuente. “’Monologues’ inspired a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. We know the evening will be powerful, inspiring and fascinating.”
 
“Our JWF offers local Jewish women the unique opportunity to be hands-on ‘woman to woman’ independent philanthropists to assist and empower those less fortunate,” added Mara Reuben, Event Co-chair. “We unite to support both local and international projects, acting on our passionate beliefs and values as Jewish women. This year, our Trustees came together to review 30 grant applications, selecting three projects to receive a total of $30,000.”
 
“It is so gratifying to see how JWF is coming into its own in South Palm Beach County. More and more women here, as across the continent, are learning the impact of directing their combined resources,” added Founding Chair Roxane Frechie Lipton. “From a handful of pioneers in 2003, we’ve grown into a foundation with 60 Trustees of different backgrounds, interests and age; assets of $400,000 and total commitments of $610,000; and three years of targeted grant-making experience.”
 
“All Trustees have an equal voice selecting the grantees. We partner with each other as well as with our recipient organizations that educate and empower women and girls,” explained current JWF Chair Francine Cole.  “In the process, we also educate and empower ourselves to manage our foundation and to direct our combined resources to effectively and compassionately change women’s and girls’ lives.”
 
To RSVP or learn more about becoming a Trustee with the Jewish Women’s Foundation, contact Jennifer Koenig at (561) 852-3129 or jenniferk@bocafed.org.

The Jewish Women’s Foundation is an initiative of The Jewish Community Foundation, the planned giving and endowment arm of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, which serves the Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach area, raising and allocating funds to help Jews locally, in Israel and in more than 60 other countries.