BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 28, 2025 — Nearly 100 female philanthropists from Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles recently attended an exclusive luncheon hosted by Jewish National Fund-USA Women for Israel at the Waldorf Astoria to raise funds to rebuild communities in northern and southern Israel that were impacted on and after the devastating terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.
Frances Bilak
Women for Israel is a dynamic sisterhood of philanthropic “wonder women,” which empowers women to lead and aims to connect female philanthropists locally and nationally who are passionate about advancing Jewish National Fund-USA’s mission to build a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel. The group forms connections between a multigenerational community of women who inspire one another while supporting the organization’s impactful initiatives in Israel’s Negev and Galilee regions.
“My parents survived the horrors of the Holocaust, married as teens, had two children who were both killed, and the camps kept them apart,” said Beverly Hills resident and Women for Israel Chair for Greater Los Angeles Frances Bilak, as she spoke about why she fiercely supports Jewish National Fund-USA and advocates for a strong and prosperous State of Israel. “Not everyone can live in Haifa, Tel Aviv, or Jerusalem. We must rebuild and continue to develop communities in the North and the South. Since October 7, our work is more vital than ever in these regions that were hit the hardest.”
Hadas Goldman and Sharon Avis
Jewish National Fund-USA has been at the forefront of rebuilding Israel’s North and South. By investing in new housing sites, employment initiatives, medical centers, mental health services, schools, playgrounds, resilience centers, and more, the organization is creating multiple “circles of impact” that support its vision of attracting 800,000 new residents to Israel’s frontier regions.
“In partnership with the people of Israel, we will create secure, beautiful havens for the residents of displaced communities to return home to and entice new residents to join,” said Co-president of Jewish National Fund-USA in Greater Los Angeles Sepi Makabi. “There is no other American philanthropy that has positioned itself to accomplish this undertaking; this is why Jewish National Fund-USA is Your Voice in Israel.”
Lea Kaufman, Judy Samson, Janice Levy, Arleen Tanenbaum, Lynne Wertheimer
The luncheon featured a fireside chat between Malina Saval, the Editor-in-Chief of Pasadena Magazine and staff writer at Los Angeles Magazine; Hadas Goldman, an Israeli actress, social activist, and founder of a Jewish National Fund-USA-supported initiative that created Israel’s largest national community-building network; and Sharon Avis, Co-CEO of Tozeret Haaretz, who leads efforts to build young communities and revitalize Israel’s border regions post-October 7.
For more information, contact Kelly Halligan, Jewish National Fund-USA Director, Greater Los Angeles at [email protected] or 323.964.1400 x960.
Sepi Makabi
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist engagement. The organization’s circle of impact extends beyond individual projects, generating a ripple effect that drives population growth and economic development in Israel’s north and south. From developing new communities in the Negev and Galilee to advancing environmental sustainability, supporting people with disabilities, preserving heritage sites, and connecting the next generation to Israel, Jewish National Fund-USA’s strategic approach ensures every initiative strengthens the fabric of Israeli society. The organization also operates the fully accredited Alexander Muss High School in Israel, offering an immersive study-abroad experience driven by academic excellence. Learn more at jnf.org.
