BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County drew a record crowd to its annual Lion of Judah Luncheon this winter, bringing nearly 500 women together for a sold-out event focused on leadership, philanthropy, and community impact.
The luncheon, themed “Strength in Sisterhood: The Timeless Power of Women’s Leadership,” was held Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. Organizers described the program as an afternoon built around conversation and connection, with a focus on the role Jewish women play locally, in Israel, and worldwide.
The event’s speaker lineup included Dr. Mijal Bitton, described by organizers as a spiritual leader, community builder, and sociologist, along with Alana Newhouse, Editor-in-Chief of Tablet Magazine. Julie Platt, the immediate past Chair of the Board of the Jewish Federations of North America, was listed as a special guest.
The discussion was moderated by Michelle Rojas-Tal, Director of Strategy at Sixpoint Media, and centered on women’s leadership across generations, the responsibilities tied to giving, and how women help shape the next generation in Jewish life.
Shelly Snyder, Chair of Women’s Philanthropy, said the scale of the turnout reflected the strength of local engagement.
“This year’s Lion of Judah Luncheon was a testament to what is possible when women come together with shared purpose and conviction,” Snyder said. “Seeing almost 500 women in one room, our largest gathering ever, was both humbling and energizing. The strength of this community is extraordinary.”
Organizers said the luncheon was co-chaired by Kathy Green and Alison Simon, with Amy Dweck serving as Vice Chair, Campaign, Women’s Philanthropy. The federation described the leadership team as central to executing an event meant to inspire while reinforcing the role women play in sustaining community support.
“Lion of Judah women are leaders, changemakers, and visionaries,” Green said. “This luncheon reflected the power of women standing together, supporting one another, and investing in the future of Jewish life.”
Simon echoed that the atmosphere in the room matched the message of the day.
“From the speakers to the energy in the room, this was a truly unforgettable afternoon,” Simon said. “It reminded us that our collective impact is far greater than anything we can achieve alone.”
Lion of Judah participation is tied directly to philanthropy. Attendance at the luncheon requires a minimum individual woman’s gift of $5,000 to the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s 2026 Annual Campaign, organizers said. The federation framed that threshold as a marker of commitment and a way to sustain programs and services connected to its broader mission.
Founded in 1979, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is a network of Jewish and social service organizations, synagogues, schools, and community partners, along with donors, volunteers, lay leadership, and professional staff. The federation is based on a 100-acre campus in west Boca Raton that it describes as the largest in the nation.
Organizers said the federation supports more than 70 beneficiaries, engages with more than 5,000 donors, and connects more than 130,000 residents across South Palm Beach County through programming, services, education, and community initiatives.
For residents, the takeaway from this year’s luncheon was scale and momentum. The federation described the gathering as its largest Lion of Judah luncheon to date, tying that turnout to ongoing local engagement and giving at a time when many community organizations rely heavily on sustained donor participation to fund services and outreach.
What happens next is largely campaign-driven. The luncheon is linked to the federation’s 2026 Annual Campaign, and the organization encourages community members to learn more about its work, programs, and giving opportunities through its website and local office.
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