NCJW’s Sheroes Honors Four Trailblazing Women

On April 24, the National Council of Jewish Women-Atlanta Section (NCJW) held its seventh annual “Women Who Dare: Celebrating Our Sheroes” luncheon at The Temple to honor four women making significant contributions to the community. The four honorees were Enid Draluck, Michele Hirsch, Beth Schafer, and Joanna Kobylivker.

Luncheon co-chairs Roz Fuchs, Dina Fuchs-Beresin, and Jill Kossman welcomed approximately 350 guests, making this year’s luncheon their most highly attended yet. The invocation and Hamotzi were delivered by Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple.

While guests dined on fresh salmon around centerpieces crafted with local produce, NCJW Co-Presidents Susan Gordon and Susie Greenberg reminded the crowd of NCJW’s goals of uplifting the community and how they have recently taken action. “We don’t just talk about our values; we live them,” Gordon said.

Next, each woman was recognized with a video interview highlighting their accomplishments and an award.

Enid Draluck

As the co-founder of the Metro Atlanta Food Consortium, Draluck addresses food insecurity and distributes a wide variety of food products to community members in need. “As a Jewish mother, I can never let someone go hungry,” Draluck said. Furthermore, Draluck serves as the co-founder and executive director of Full Circle Living, a nonprofit that works on “leveling the playing field” for women, Black Americans, and American Indians. Draluck is passionate about advocating for marginalized voices and noted human trafficking and domestic violence as two of her main focus areas.

Michele Hirsch

Hirsch serves as the co-president of the Hirsch Legacy Fund, which focuses on aiding local non-profits that primarily support mental health causes and communities in need. Hirsch was inspired to pursue mental health initiatives after learning of the costs and other barriers to treatment for complex mental health issues that impacted her son. She first began her philanthropic journey by establishing The Peaceful Family Fund, which provided significant financial support to more than 20 families. Hirsch’s work is consistently motivated by her Jewish values, specifically channeling Tikkun Olam, or the value of pursuing activities that repair the world.

Joanna Kobylivker

As the founding director of Adamah Atlanta, Kobylivker embodies Jewish values by pursuing sustainable practices, environmental education, climate action, and more. She helps local organizations reduce their use of single-use plastics and begin composting. Furthermore, Kobylivker aims to connect young people with their environment through Jewish practices, for example, engaging students in Tu B’Shvat tree planting programs. She encourages others to get out into their community and to quite literally get their hands dirty to do the work it takes to improve our Earth.

Beth Schafer

As the Bunzl Family Cantorial Chair at Temple Sinai, Schafer connects her community through Jewish music. Schafer weaves social justice themes into her original music by re-examining Hebrew texts and making music that’s inclusive of a modern audience. As a cantor, Schafer is also a major part of lifecycle events at Temple Sinai. “It is an honor to be invited into others’ lives at their exciting times and at their most challenging times,” Schafer said. She consistently uses music, writing, and compassion to connect her congregation with Judaism and with each other.

Each honoree was congratulated with a standing ovation. All four honorees defined a “Shero” as someone who is gracious and consistently uplifts others, qualities they each embody through their leadership and service.