The Eleventh Annual Spring Lecture sponsored by the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte was held on Thursday, April 2nd and featured Iris Krasnow as the guest speaker.

The event was co-chaired by Amy Augustine, Ellyn Gross and Lauren Weiser who led a very talented and dedicated team of volunteers including Jenny Meiselman, Janie Meyers, Jane Rabinovitz, Linda Seigel, Lisa Cohen Shapiro and Robin Zimmerman. The committee not only worked on the overall planning of the event, but also on marketing and securing of corporate and individual sponsorships.

Many thanks go to our Sustaining Sponsors Plate Perfect Catering and Reid’s Fine Foods.

Event Sponsors were ArtShots Photography, Bob Ellis Shoes, Carolinas HealthCare System, Creative Events, Fit to Be Wed/EPEC Fitness Studio, Jane’s Gems Boutique, Perfect Image Printing, Polka Dot Bakery, RBC Bank and SouthPark Jewelers.

Our individual Table Sponsors were Dana Meiselman and Jenny Meiselman, Linda Seigel and Aviva Stein.

Lauren Weiser welcomed 275 women who attended the dinner held in the Sandra and Leon Levine Social Hall at Temple Israel. The room was beautifully decorated in hot pink and orange by Creative Events, and the delicious dinner was catered by Plate Perfect Catering. Reid’s Fine Foods generously donated all of the wine for the event.

In keeping with the title of Iris Krasnow’s book, I Am My Mother’s Daughter, many mothers and their daughters were in the audience. After warmly welcoming the group and an additional 60 women attending the lecture in the Sanctuary, Amy Augustine introduced Barbara Levin and her daughters Nancy Kipnis and Linda Goldsmith who told their personal philanthropy stories. “My father used to say that “an education is something you cannot lose even in a depression”, said Barbara. She and her husband Jerry have sent eleven grandchildren to the Charlotte Jewish Day School. Nancy continued, “We know why we give to the Jewish Federation. It is an investment in our children – the leaders of tomorrow. Linda and I are proof positive that a gift to the Federation promotes Jewish continuity. As daughters and as mothers, we know that our donation to the Federation is not a choice – it is an obligation.”

After Linda and Nancy had the entire room standing in support of the ways in which Federation touches lives, Linda included, “Please give generously – it does a world of good, one generation at a time!”

The audience filled with women of all ages and in all stages of their lives laughed, cried and treasured each word of Iris Krasnow’s speech which was centered on women’s generational angst. “My mother taught me to make soft matzo balls, a juicy brisket and how to be tough and strong,” said Ms Krasnow. During her speech, she took her audience on a journey through her personal motivations for each of her four books: Surrendering to Motherhood, Surrendering to Marriage, Surrendering to Yourself and I Am My Mother’s Daughter. She was warm, witty and wonderful and left everyone wanting more! As a daughter of a Holocaust survivor, her onnection to Judaism was real and relevant.

The evening concluded with a dessert reception featuring a spectacular display of cupcakes by Polka Dot Bakery, and a book signing with author Iris Krasnow who warmly chatted with each fan and new friend purchasing books.

As each guest exited the Temple, they picked up a reusable goody bags graciously provided by Jane’s Gems Boutique filled with promotional items provided by each of our sponsors.

If you would like to get involved or share ideas for the 12th Annual Spring Lecture, please contact Sue Littauer, Development Director at the Jewish Federation, at 704-944-6758.