Federation Hosts Community Event for Women
Brilliant, ebullient and engaging, Samantha Ettus informed and charmed 500 women at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Women’s Event.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s “Community Event for Women,” Women’s Philanthropy and Young Leadership Divisions, featured Samantha Ettus at Congregation B’nai Torah on Wednesday, March 26.
Michelle Simon, Women’s Philanthropy Vice Chair, told the AJT, “What’s so special about tonight is the representation of every generation, the younger to the seasoned, who want to make a difference in the Federation’s giving model locally and overseas to meet the needs of Jews …which otherwise might go unfulfilled.”
The formal program began with Women’s Philanthropy President Carey Guggenheim sharing her own immigration journey 24 years ago from South Africa, and how every stage of this journey encompassed Federation’s support and access. She also noted that, “Jews have to stand tall and be united, especially in the wake of horrors like the recent Bibas funeral in Israel … together, we make a lasting impact.”
After the “Hatikvah” and National Anthem, Federation President and CEO, Renee Kutner, reminded the audience of 500 that “as a group, philanthropists can be change makers to achieve far more than anyone alone.”
She related Parashat Pekudei, the completion of the Mishkan traveling in the desert, to the women’s role in great detail down to the golden threads. She related, “The women led the way … beyond giving, it’s investing, shaping, building, and beyond the physical, to carry it all forward.”
She explained that post-Oct. 7, Federation’s connection to the community has never been more critical, citing safety and security, and caring for those in need.
Next up were Pailey Nooromid and Michelle Stribling, who spoke of their families’ deep roots in Jewish leadership, the former in Dallas, and the latter locally as mother, Beth Arogeti, is Federation Chair of the Board of Trustees. They also spoke of collective strength and the many “touches” Federation has with young families, PJ Library, Shabbat grants, and day school education.
Federation Campaign Chair Renee Kutner, explained that Jewish identify was certainly top of mind since the months after Oct. 7. “It’s in our Jewish DNA to be generous givers.”
Quoting her stepfather, real estate mogul Steve Selig, “It’s one Jew asking a second Jew to help a third Jew.”
Last up was headliner Samantha Ettus, with whom many were familiar based on her recent appearance at the Lion of Judah Conference in Atlanta. She explained that not being a particularly keen practicing Jew, her entire course changed on Oct. 7, which coincidentally was the celebration of her son’s bar mitzvah.
She said, “We have to realize that we are the collective answers by speaking out … nothing is too small to address. It’s not an accident that college kids are marching for terrorists and not hostages … these kids are brainwashed … by the culmination of a 30-year, Iran-backed campaign on faculty, media and students, funded by Qatar.”
She was reviled as Gazans were cheering hostage caskets; and how not one came forward when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a reward for hostage information.
Having moved from New York to Los Angeles and recently losing her house in the Palisades Fire, she engages with “stars’ and took a group of 12 (not all Jews) to Israel, sponsored by Sheebah Hospital. She got applause mentioning recent Auburn University men’s basketball coach Bruce Perl’s bold pro-Israel stance at press conferences. She also emphasized, “All Jews, far left Dems, and far right Republicans need to be united and present with voices heard.”
Women loved her references to supporting Jewish businesses especially fashion designers as she was wearing a glittering ivory dress by Flora Bea. She continues to call out negativity like Robert Kraft’s Super Bowl campaign, “All Lives Matter,” and Vogue Magazine featuring Gigi Hadid on the cover. She recommended books by Noa Tishby and Dara Horn.
Ettus has an undergraduate degree and MBA from Harvard, where she competed on the women’s tennis team. She was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of 100 Powerful Women of 2021 and sat on the advisory board of the Forbes School of Business and Technology. Ettus hosted 75 episodes of “Obsessed TV,” an online talk show and has appeared on “The Today Show,” “NBC News,” “Access Hollywood,” CNN, and “Dr. Phil.” Ettus has authored five books and appeared on TEDX.
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