JIFLA Announces She’s a Maccabee Award Recipients
She’s A Maccabee was established to recognize modern-day heroines who embody the courage, leadership, and resilience of the Maccabees in the Chanukah story.
Jewish Interest-Free Loan Association of Georgia (JIFLA) is proud to announce the 2024 honorees for She’s a Maccabee Awards, an annual Chanukah tradition now in its fifth year. This initiative celebrates extraordinary Jewish women whose skills, talents, passions, and dedication to Jewish values make a lasting impact on our community.
This year’s recipients are Sherry Frank, Tracey Grant, Susan Heidt, and Keri Kaufmann. Georgia State Rep. Esther Panitch received an honorable mention.
She’s A Maccabee was established to recognize modern-day heroines who embody the courage, leadership, and resilience of the Maccabees in the Chanukah story. Jill Wheatley, a past She’s a Maccabee honoree, reflected on the significance of this tradition: “A Maccabee actively practices Jewish ideals and customs with courage and tenacity. Their impact creates momentum within the community, inspiring others and creating a greater ripple effect.”
The selection committee was so impressed by the nominations of several young community members for their acts of service and leadership that JIFLA created a new category: Rising Maccabees. Starting in 2025, JIFLA will accept nominations for this new age group to recognize Jewish young women aged 18 and younger, celebrating and inspiring the next generation of Maccabees.
As the Maccabees represent powerful women, JIFLA empowers Jewish Georgians with interest-free loans and financial education. More than 60 percent of JIFLA borrowers are women, and with JIFLA’s support they are empowered to achieve financial independence and succeed both personally and professionally. JIFLA is committed to its mission to provide Jewish Georgians with a path to financial stability and self-sufficiency, ensuring they have the tools and resources to thrive.
She’s A Maccabee applications are open to the public and honorees are chosen by JIFLA’s executive staff and previous awardees.
This year’s recipients include:
Sherry Frank: She’s a leader in Black/Jewish relations and a women’s rights supporter. She builds up young leaders in the community to ensure the next generation is ready to take over.
Tracey Grant: Every Tuesday morning, Tracey’s home is filled with 20-plus women learning Torah and from each other to enhance Jewish connection and traditions among the group and later in everyone’s respective families. The invite list is constantly expanding and reflects Tracey’s welcoming spirit of inclusiveness regardless of past involvement or background. As a past president of the Jewish Women’s Connection of Atlanta, Tuesday mornings are only a window into Tracey’s history of connecting Jewish women in Atlanta to their shared history through trips to Israel and programs back home. Tracey also participates in the One Good Deed program through JF&CS bringing compassionate companionship to older adults in our community and is the current co-chair of the Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta
Susan Heidt: Her focus is volunteering for her synagogue, Backpack Buddies, The Sandwich Project, Breast Cancer Awareness, and JWFA.
Keri Kaufmann: Kaufmann leads Jewish Moms of Atlanta and stepped in to provide critical assistance during the 800-plus Hadassah/JWC Great Challah Bake partnership, created a member spotlight, and assisted with a powerful event that brought Kay Wilson here, educating people of all ages and backgrounds.
(Honorable Mention) Georgia State Rep. Esther Panitch: She never wavered in fighting for the antisemitism bill in the Georgia State House.
(Inaugural Rising Maccabee) Shira Preis: She uplifts the people around her by working at Camp Dream Street every summer, at a weeklong overnight camp for kids with disabilities. Another way Shira helps her community is with her work on the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education Student Advisory Council.
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