Standing Together: Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon to Spotlight Israeli Women Resilience and Community Strength

August 22, 2025

On September 16, the ballroom will fill with the sound of women greeting one another—friends reuniting, new connections forming—and the hum of anticipation. Atlanta’s Jewish women will gather for the Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Luncheon, but this year, the event will carry a heartbeat that pulses all the way to Israel. 

At the center of the program is a rare and intimate conversation with members of the Forum for Reservists’ Wives – Fighting for Our Homes. These women are holding families together while their husbands serve—sometimes voluntarily, long past the age when service is required—on Israel’s front lines. 

“It’s a layer of society we have an obligation to acknowledge,” says Tal Baum, celebrated restaurateur, proud Israeli, and event sponsor and moderator. “They’ve become single parents overnight—juggling careers, raising children, and living with the constant ache of worry. Yet they choose this sacrifice for the sake of Israel and the Jewish people.” 

For Baum, the cause is personal. She remembers, as a 16-year-old, waiting by the phone for her then-boyfriend—now her husband—to call from the army, not knowing when or if she’d hear from him again. “That fear was hard enough as a teenager,” she says. “I can’t imagine it while raising children, running a household, and carrying a career.” 

Hagit Avital-Tsfany, Women’s Philanthropy Senior Donor Officer, knows the impact of such a gathering. “Israelis often feel alone in the world,” she says. “But when you’re in a room where women from Atlanta are leaning in, listening, embracing these Israeli women—it’s powerful. It’s a reminder that we are one people, one global Jewish family.” 

The luncheon unites Atlanta’s Lions of Judah ($5,400) and Pomegranates ($1,800) —women who lead through significant giving and deep commitment. It’s not only a chance to connect; it’s a moment to witness the direct impact of their philanthropy. Support for the Forum for Reservists’ Wives is part of Federation’s Israel and Jews Worldwide impact area, sustaining essential work in Israel. 

Tal hopes the luncheon will leave an imprint on every guest. “We’re not bringing journalists or influencers. This is an honest, heart-to-heart conversation—stories you can’t read in the news, moments you’ll carry with you.” Watch Tal’s video here. 

On September 16, Atlanta’s Lion and Pomegranate women will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel’s women of courage.

Together, they will send a message that echoes across oceans: You are not alone. We are with you. 

If you’re interested in becoming a Step-Up Pomegranate, contact Hagit Avital-Tsfany at havital-tsfany@jewishatlanta.org.