In Ukraine, we didn’t practice Judaism or even speak about the fact that we were Jewish due to the high level of antisemitism, so I didn’t have a deep religious background. I think that’s one of the reasons why my parents enrolled me in Bais Yaakov when we arrived in Baltimore. They loved the idea of giving me a strong religious education. There I quickly learned all about Judaism and was able to teach my family about it in the process, which led us to start observing holidays and building our own traditions. Although we are Reform, I credit Bais Yaakov with helping me to appreciate my Jewish roots. I received a great education, met wonderful people and learned a lot about my heritage.

After high school, I went to Towson University to study clinical psychology and continued on in that field of study at Loyola, where I received my master’s degree. I worked as a psychotherapist for a long time and then transitioned to the information technology realm of the behavioral health care management world. I retired in March 2020.

My husband and I live in the Reisterstown area. We have 27-year-old twin daughters and a four-year-old French bulldog with big ears but selective hearing.

What inspired you to get involved with The Associated’s Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation (JWGF)?

When I retired I was looking for opportunities to get more involved. JWGF was always on my radar because one of my good friends was already involved with this organization and loved it so I always thought that this could be in my future. But the more I learned about this organization, the more inspired I was to join. This is a group of women using their collective voices and resources to help other women and girls. Each one of us brings something unique to the table – background, education, professional experiences, previous volunteering etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate, use their voice and express their opinion no matter how diverse it might be.

Unfortunately, I retired in 2020 just as the world was shutting down due to the pandemic and, at that time, anything I did would have to be remote. Initially my daughter and I became involved in the Macks Jewish Connection Network’s Bunches of Lunches, which was easy to do at home, but I wanted to do more. JWGF did an amazing job of moving everything online, so they could continue to operate without any interruption to their normal process. This allowed me to get involved while still feeling safe at home and it also taught me about this organization’s amazing ability to adapt to changing circumstances, which I love.

What does your role of JWGF Grantee Liaison Chair entail?

When organizations receive funding from JWGF, they are assigned a liaison who acts as the main point of contact between them and our group. This role is typically filled by various members of the JWGF who volunteer to take on that responsibility. Each liaison follows up with the incredible non profits that we fund to find out how they’re doing, how they’re using the funds that were granted to them and to see if there is anything else that we can do on our end to assist them. I help to coordinate these activities and to prepare a newsletter that goes out to our entire membership updating them on the efforts that our grantees are making.

What advice would you give to women who are interested in getting involved in philanthropy and making a difference in their communities?

Don’t just join an organization, really get involved. Don’t just hang out on the sidelines. This will make a huge difference both in the way you feel and in the impact you can make. When I first joined JWGF, although I thought it was a great organization, I didn’t feel a strong connection until I truly got involved, first as a reading group leader and then as the grantee liaison chair.

Why do you believe it is important to empower women through initiatives like the Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation?

A lot of times women don’t have their voice heard. The harsh reality is that even in today’s advanced world, there are still so many places where women are not afforded the same opportunities and access to services that are available to men. Who can better understand this then other women?

So, I feel that a group of women joining together and using their own resources to help other women is beyond empowering, both for JWGF members and the organizations we help to fund. It makes a difference in terms of women and girls being educated, learning new skills that allow them to be more independent, purchase homes, gain access to healthcare, heal from trauma, and create safe environments in which to live and raise their children.

Being from Ukraine, how does it feel to support and fund Jewish organizations in your home country that need assistance?

It’s amazing to work with organizations from Ukraine. The amount of progress that this country had made in recent years both politically and economically is incredible. Just the fact that they elected a Jewish leader speaks volumes.

So, to see them have to take a step back in time, to watch their country being destroyed is devastating. At the JWGF closing brunch I had the opportunity to speak with some of the women from Odesa who work for one of our grantees. To say that I was impressed by them would be an understatement. These women spoke of the work that they continue to do on a daily basis, I can only imagine the strength that it takes for them to continue to help others while trying to keep themselves and their families safe and stay true to their Jewish and Ukrainian roots in the process.

What do you like to do for fun in Baltimore?

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to cook, it’s always been my passion. I love to go for walks on the NCR trail. I love reading books and have recently been enjoying novels by Laura Lipman, who is a local Baltimore writer.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I never learned how to ride a bike as a kid. I thought I knew how to because I saw young pictures of myself on a tricycle. However, my family recently started spending more time in Lewes, Delaware and, as is the case in most beach towns, everyone there rides a bike. So, I got on a bike and suddenly realized that I had no idea what to do. Surprise!!! Fortunately, one of my daughters, who happens to be a teacher, taught me.