This Week Cover Story FEMININE DIFFERENCE from page 18 our community to do. I knew this would be a winner." Although the JWF is under Federation auspices, grants are not limited to Federation-sponsored agencies. "Our goal is to complement Federation, not to compete with it," said Halperin. "Most of the general grant money doesn't go toward gen- der-specific programming." Focus On Women Brad Longenecker will be at Raz & Sherm representing this beautifully crafted jewelry, hand set with unique gemstones. MT Special Promotion 99 In,, /o es d ist anc '59" '99" Includes: Includes: 1000 Anytime Minutes 1500 Anytime Minutes Includes: Unlimited Anytime Minutes NEXTEL Special Promotion '149" Unlimited Anytime Cellular Unlimited Two-Way Radio Some Restrictions Apply. Offers are subject to change without notice. RAPID WIRELESS 10/25 2002 20 1:111111- 6057 HAGGERTY • (N. of Maple, Across from Meijers) 248.669.4200 This year, 30 grant proposals were received. The evaluation process was extensive, involving many hours of discussion and hands-on research by the JWF trustees, including on-site visits and lengthy interviews with the staff of each organization. "This is truly a working founda- tion," said Halperin. "Every trustee has a vote in the final decision." The trustees evaluate each grant request based on the quality of the program, but also on the degree to which women are involved in the organization as a whole. According to Halperin, the founda- tion turned down one grant request because the agency had very few women on staff or on their board of directors. "The head of the agency thought that was sexist," said Halperin, "but we want to fund programs that benefit women and that also have women in leadership positions." Several of the trustees have become involved in community programs they evaluated as a result of their participa- tion in the grant process. Pamela Wyatt of Birmingham joined the advi- sory committee of the Single Jewish Parents Network, which received its second JWF grant this year. In turn, some women from the organizations that have received JWF grants have chosen to become involved in the foundation. Edwina Davis of West Bloomfield, active in the Michigan Jewish AIDS Coalition, became a JWF trustee, as did Janis Wetsman of Birmingham, past president of the Single Jewish Parents Network. During its first grant cycle in 2001, a total of $50,000 was award- ed to seven local programs. This year, of nine grants — totaling $60,005 — three were given to programs in Israel. "There was a lot of discussion ini- tially about giving grant money to Israel," said Halperin, "but we ulti- mately agreed that it was important to show our support." "There is no funding left for any- thing in Israel except bullets and vests," said Sternoff. "As the [Palestinian] violence has increased, so have the needs for social services." While conducting telephone inter- views with the Israeli grant appli- cants, trustee Dede Feldman of Bloomfield Hills was so impressed with a program to help Ethiopian Jewish women that she decided to personally fund the project. "Dede is a 'poster woman' for Jewish women's philanthropy," said Sternoff. "She embodies what our movement is all about." "Men have their own reasons for giving," said Halperin, "but women give because an issue or a program affects them personally — they really give from their hearts." Financial Commitment There are two levels of membership: trustees and transgenerational trustees. Trustees, which now num- • ber 95, make a commitment of $10,000, payable at an annual rate of $2,000 over a five-year period, after which time the trusteeship can be renewed. Transgenerational trustees make a contribution of $100,000, which entitles the donor, as well as her daughters and granddaughters, to serve on the JWF board in perpetu- ity: There are six trustees in this cate- gory. The first transgenerational gift was from Dr. Milton Goldrath of West Bloomfield, in memory of his wife Joan, who passed away in 1998. At the September board meeting, Mark Kahn of Bloomfield Hills announced the establishment of a transgenerational membership in honor of his late wife, Gayle Halperin Kahn, who died of cancer earlier this year. Gayle was also the daughter of Margot Halperin. To further its goal of financial edu- cation, the Metro Detroit JWF has sponsored public programs featuring speakers such as Suze Orman, author of The Courage to be Rich, and Jean Sherman Chatzky, author and finan- cial editor for NBC's Today show. "This is probably the most exciting project I've ever been part of," said Halperin. "To know that we can make a lasting impact, it's extraordi- nary." ❑ For information about the Jewish Women's Foundation, call Helen Katz, (248) 203-1483.