Jessica Goldman Srebnick is the second-generation CEO of Goldman Properties, founded by her father, real estate developer Tony Goldman. The company transforms depressed urban areas into iconic neighborhoods, such as SoHo in New York City, Center City Philadelphia, and Wynwood, site of the acclaimed Wynwood Walls in Miami, Fla.
Read MoreBy Allie Lerner
On Thursday, June 13th, I attended Platform Advocacy Day where I lobbied (for the first time ever) for The Women’s Health Protection Act. I was so impressed and intrigued by the experience that I decided to sit down with Jennifer Mandelblatt, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Platform, to discuss her organization, how she became involved in civic engagement as a career path, and the importance of being an advocate.
Read MoreEach month, we’ll feature one incredible woman from across a Network across the country to highlight the amazing women in our growing national community. We’ll be sharing information about them as well as some highlights from interviews with them, covering things from their favorite female role models to the best budgeting tip they’ve received.
Read MoreBy Allie Lerner
After last week’s episode, there was a lot of backlash in Bachelor Nation and within our office. Because JWI advocates for the rights of women and girls, especially promoting healthy relationships and bodily autonomy, I decided to interview one of our very own Ariella Neckritz, Manager of Prevention and Training Programs, to discuss her thoughts on last week’s episode.
Read MoreThe Young Women’s Leadership Network is expanding! The Network launches in June and has been organized by a team of awesome women. Come learn about them!
Read MoreIn case you haven’t heard, our Young Women’s Leadership Network keeps getting bigger (did we mention we’re launching in SF in June?), doing larger events, and there are more women leaders than ever (have you heard about our mentorship program, now with 50 women involved?). It’s a great problem to have – really! But since even National Manager Sasha has to sleep sometimes, we realized we needed to ask for a little help. Enter: Rachel, our new YWLN Coordinator!
Read MorePassover has so many rituals and customs to explore each year. Here some of our favorites from past years on the JWI blog. Good thing there are two seders!
Read MoreBy Sue Tomchin
New from historian Pamela Nadell, a book you should know about, before we tell Women’s History Month good-bye.
Read MoreBy Emily Pevnick
As I prepare for a massive identity shift to “mom,” I am reading books about self-care, taking classes on transitioning to motherhood and talking to friends about their experiences. These resources prepared me for some intrusive questions about weight gain and breastfeeding, but they did not prepare me for questions about returning to work.
Read MoreBy Megan Dorward
Every year, JWI brings young women from all over the country to capitol hill to meet with senior staff and key congressional leaders. As part of our dedication to civic engagement, we meet with more than 20 Congressional offices to discuss key legislative issues including the Violence Against Women Act, Reproductive Rights, gun violence prevention, and equal pay. Read more to learn more about one attendees experience and consider joining us on April 1st from 8:00am-1:00pm.
Read MoreBy Valerie Brown
Esther is regarded as one of the greatest heroines in the Jewish canon. The Megillah tells the story of how, through her beauty and bravery, she is able to save her people from Haman’s evil plan to destroy them. But through a feminist lens, the story is a bit more complicated.
Read MoreThere’s so much to learn from the Purim story - and the writers on the JWI blog have scratched the surface. Before you commence your Purim festivities, we encourage you to curl up with some hamentaschen and reflect on the varied lessons to be pulled from this joyous holiday.
Read MoreBy Sue Tomchin
When you plug the word “entrepreneur” into Google you get 791 million results. Rachel Braun Scherl has carved out a unique and gutsy category within this mammoth realm. She calls herself a “vagipreneur™ —an entrepreneur focused on the business of female sexual health and wellness.
Read MoreBy Anita Silvert
When my girls were little, I thought very carefully about what movies they would watch. Disney movies provided a unique challenge, though many parents show them without thinking. I didn’t.
Read MoreBy Rabbi Richard Hirsh
Despite the hyperbole that is characteristic of the Scroll of Esther, this gender-specific discrepancy in how much time must be allowed to prepare oneself for public presentation remains a conundrum in contemporary teen-age culture, inside the synagogue as well as outside. There remain significant discrepancies between Bar Mitzvah boys and Bat Mitzvah girls when it comes to "how to dress."
Read MoreIn the last year, JWI and the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence have spent countless hours working to update the Violence Against Women Act. Here’s what you need to know before the bill is finally introduced this week.
Read MoreOur Change the Culture Student Ambassador Program empowers students to be activists, bringing conversations about healthy relationships to their campuses. One way they do this is through Healthy Relationship Shabbats - where students are brought together over dinner for activities and discussion on the qualities of a healthy relationship in a Jewish context. These student d’vars show how students are engaging closely with JWI’s work, and framing their college experience through ancient text.
Read MoreFor the second year in a row: instead of chocolate, jewelry, or flowers, we'd really like something more substantial for Valentine’s Day (equal pay comes to mind??). But also, feel free to send any unwanted chocolate our way.
Read MoreBy Sasha Altschuler and Erin McMullen
Here at JWI, several of us identify as members of Bachelor Nation, and Caelynn’s disclosure to Colton about her experiences as a sexual assault survivor deeply resonated with us. One in five women are sexual assault survivors, which means one in five women watching the Bachelor are victims of sexual assault. Caelynn’s public confession is more than incredibly brave; it’s an opportunity to open a critical dialogue.
Read MoreBy Dara Biton
With their infectious attitudes, bubbly personalities, and overall joyful demeanors, Edith, Mary Bauer, and Martha Sternback, are the embodiment of “not letting them win.” LAMOTH’s L’Dough V’Dough program (a play on the Hebrew, L’Dor V’Dor--from generation to generation) brings together survivors with participants from local schools and organizations. They spend a few hours together braiding challah dough, and while the challah bakes, hearing the survivors’ powerful stories.
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