JWFA Salutes Davis and Advocacy

Three hundred change makers were on hand Sunday night, March 8, at The Temple to hear Mara Davis interview CNN’s Dana Bash alongside honoring Linda Davis. The event was held on International Women’s Day celebrating social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Welcomes were offered by Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta (JWFA) Impacts! event chairs, Enid Draluck and Sarah Franco, followed by Mindy Binderman, JWFA chair, and Jodi Hirschfield, JWFA executive director.

Binderman shared about Linda Davis‘ steadfastness and inspiration as a “north star.”

Hirschfield discussed “gift to gain,” where education and grants make impacts to “show the power of collective philanthropy for our daughters and granddaughters to reach their full potential.” Economic equality and empowerment, violence prevention, leadership development, and education are some of the issues JWFA addresses locally, nationally and abroad.

Franco and Draluck related how female leadership goes back to Queen Esther, who “overcame trepidation and stepped into the moment.” Franco spoke of Linda Davis’ versatility and reliability serving multiple times in various positions and how she doesn’t say “no.”

Atlanta media maven Mara Davis, formerly a radio DJ and TV host, was happy to moderate as she has always been a fan of Dana Bash, whom she referred to as a “bad ass.” Clad in patent pumps and a sleek black pant suit, Bash praised the iconic Temple citing how her mother attended the Jewish Theological Seminary with Rabbi Peter Berg.

Bash also talked about how social media has changed the landscape of journalism. She stated, “I don’t see myself as an activist. I did a documentary on antisemitism because it was news — even before Oct. 7.”

Bash also lamented that it was easy to find many incidences of antisemitism. She said that she strives to be objective and focus on truth and facts. Mara Davis asked if she ever gets rattled to which Bash replied, “Sometimes, I want to throw up, but my 14-year-old told me to ‘lock in.’ My key is a ton of preparation role-play on all kinds of incidents and pushback. I don’t want myself to be the story.”

Bash commented on the next generation of female journalists, especially some independents like Katie Couric. She also praised Connie Chung for being a trailblazer. On a personal level, Bash shared that she streams “The Pit,” “Shrinking,” and “Heated Rivalry.”  A surprise video announcement saluting Linda Davis came from CNN‘s Wolf Blitzer and thrilled the room.

Linda Davis’ daughters spoke of her leadership by example in both Jewish and non-Jewish spaces and the lessons that she taught about leaving the world a better place and using the buddy system.

“Mother always has a sense of right and wrong and is a good sounding board.“

A video of alternating different hats was shown to emphasize the many different jobs she’s held and duplicated with JWFA. Linda thanked her husband and reminisced about standing on that very Temple bimah for her daughters’ mitzvahs, and that she was now “not alone at the podium with so much support.”

She emphasized her thread of repairing the world through The Temple, its shelter, mass incarceration, Atlanta Jewish Committee, and Camp Twin Lakes. She admired the progress women had made in governorships in mayoral jobs, but still not “at parity.” She also found it not helpful that public figures make disparaging remarks about women. She recalled her youth in small town Nebraska, where her mother drove her 300 miles round-trip to attend confirmation class. She concluded, “There’s nothing more powerful than a committed group of women.“

Senior Temple Rabbi Peter Berg offered comments about the anxiety, fear, heartbreak, and consequences of war, while “holding onto our values of courage and compassion.”

Note that last year, 135 JWFA trustees made 108 grants worth $2.6 million. The Zalik Foundation was thanked for their support.