It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news of Nancy Schwartz Sternoff’s passing on January 12 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. JWF Chicago trustees and staff alike, along with so many others, mourn the enormous loss of our colleague, friend, and mentor. Among her countless significant undertakings, Nancy co-led the Jewish Women's Funding Network (JWFN), a collaborative of over two dozen member organizations seeking to change the world for women and girls.
The Forwardwrites of Nancy that she was “committed to empowering others, she selflessly loved, advised, fed, challenged, cared for, and inspired those around her.” As the JWFN prepares to hold its annual Force for Change conference in Chicago this coming May, we are heartened that many of Nancy's protégées will gather to honor her by carrying the torch.
Nancy was consistently a leader of the growing, vital work at the intersection of Judaism and feminism. It was in that spirit that JWF awarded $377,000 to 25 incredible organizations in Chicago, Israel, and around the world. Stemming from these partnerships, there are an immeasurable number of inspiring impact stories and some not yet written. Throughout this coming year, we will share as many as possible-- here are a few to begin with. JWF is honored to transform the lives of Jewish women and girls through dollars raised and awarded entirely by women.
As always, please feel free to pass along any content you would like us to share with our community of trustees, grantees, and partners. We love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Sue Rifas, Advocacy Committee Chair
Amy Saltzman, Program Officer
