By Carl Zebrowski
Editor
Beth Kozinn of Allentown is joining the board of the Jewish Federations of North America Women’s Philanthropy. The board is made up of 200 of the most influential women leaders in Jewish philanthropy from more than 60 Federations across the continent. Kozinn will work alongside Carol Bub Fromer, who was appointed to the board in 2021.
Kozinn talked with Hakol about the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, her local philanthropy efforts, and what she hopes for the future as she adds national volunteering and leadership to her resume.
You’ve long been a familiar, respected presence in the Lehigh Valley community. Can you tell us how you got here and what drew you to getting so involved in volunteer, leadership, and other philanthropic efforts over the years?
I came to the Lehigh Valley because my husband (Dr. Wesley Kozinn z”l) took a position as the director of infectious diseases at the Easton Hospital (in 1978). We lived in Bethlehem for five years; we moved from Manhattan. I heard about Federation, and I went on a mission to Washington (D.C.). I think it must have been in 1981 or ’82, and it just drew me in. I really believed in a lot of the work that they did. My Jewish identity is very strong, so I wanted I became involved.
In those years, you kind of moved up the ladder. You went on a board and then you had a chairmanship. Marilyn Claire and I were campaign chairs (of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs). And then I was the JFLV Women’s Philanthropy president for three years. I’ve been involved ever since and very committed. All the wonderful Jewish organizations are terrific. I salute them all. But Federation—a friend of mine, Joan Bass, once said to me, “It’s the umbrella for the Jewish world,” and so I figured I’m going to stand under that umbrella.
Tell us about some of the roles that you’ve filled, which efforts you’re most proud of, and what impact you’ve seen from them?
I’ve seen the respect of what women do for the campaign over the years. When I started in the eighties, it was a boys’ club, and they’re the ones that ran the show. Now, that’s certainly not the case. Women are as well respected as the big boys, and we wear big boys’ pants now. We’re raising a large part of the (Federation) campaign. Having an executive director like Jeri Zimmerman and a person like Aaron Gorodzinsky (director of development) running the show—I think that they’re the best we’ve ever had. Right now, what we have at Federation is the best I’ve ever seen. I will sing the praises of all you guys forever.
I feel very grateful that I’m in a position to be able to assist those that need help. How many baubles could one person have? I didn’t grow up well to do. My dad was in the service. My mom worked part of my childhood. They always were very active in Jewish War Veterans (of the United States of America). My mom was a leader. I think I learned that from her. She was president of Hadassah (the women’s Zionist organization) in Florida, as was my mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law was a national president of Hadassah. We’re a family that takes it very seriously that we take care of each other. We Jews must take care of each other, because no one else is going to. All people have to live with some dignity. If I can help with that, that’s the best thing I can do in my life.
Can you think of any specific examples of impact that you may have witnessed or been a part of?
I won the George Feldman Award (Jewish Federation award for young leadership). And I got the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award. It’s a national (Women’s Philanthropy) award.
When I started out, I was not giving what I give now. I was not in that position. I had kids. We had tuition. Wes and I always did what we could. I support my temple (Temple Beth El), and I still support all the agencies here separately, aside from what I give to Federation. It’s important that we all do our part, no matter how big or small it is. I always try to tell young people, if you’re not in a position now, don’t feel that you won’t be at some point. Whatever you can do now is important. Just stick to the game.
So what does your appointment to the board mean to you? What excites you the most about stepping into that role?
I’m flattered that Jeri and Lee (Kestecher Solomon, Federation director of community engagement) thought of me. I’m a little nervous, because I’m not sure that I’m in the same category as a lot of these women. Many of them are much younger than I am, but I’m excited to be in a position to learn new things to bring back to our community. We’re never too old to learn.
How do you think your experiences here in our local community will shape your contributions at the national level? Are there lessons that you’ve learned here that you could apply there?
This is a real Jewish community that looks out for each other. I can teach some of the bigger fish in the sea that when we work together as a community, there’s no end to success. For the number of Jews that we have here, we do an amazing job. We can always do better. I think one of the problems today is the non-affiliation with our institutions, temples and day schools and things like that. That’s a little disheartening. Maybe we have to think along different lines. We always have to continue learning what it is that people need.
In what ways do you hope that new position will allow you to expand or deepen the impact of your work, both nationally and at home?
I’m hoping I can learn more and learn better ways of raising more funds, having people realize the importance of what we do. There’s never enough, and what we’re doing is so important. What’s the best message we can convey to our community to encourage them to participate with us?
What motivates you to continue giving your time, energy, and resources to volunteering and other philanthropic efforts? What might you say to others, especially women who may be considering getting more involved in Jewish communal leadership and philanthropy?
I think it’s just a passion I have. I will probably have that passion until they put me in the ground. Continue to support Federation because it’s the umbrella that takes care of our needs here. It takes care of our needs abroad. And don’t kid yourself: there are plenty of needs, not even just Israel, which is my passion. Having grown up after World War II and the Holocaust, it just makes me feel like there’s some place, although it’s not always a safe place, we can go if, God forbid, we get thrown out of here. It’s important that we stand strong together and that the world knows we’re strong together.
Do you have any thoughts on joining the national board alongside current member Carol Bub Fromer, past president of the Lehigh Valley Women’s Philanthropy and fellow former winner of the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award?
I don’t put myself on the same level as Carol. She’s a superstar. She’s a doctor. She’s involved in Federation. As an older woman, I look up to her. She was on the board before me. So, I’m hoping to figure out the ways, though Carol will guide me. I couldn’t think of a better person from this valley to serve with.
Carol Bub Fromer, fellow Lehigh Valley Women’s Philanthropy member and five-year member of the National Women’s Philanthropy board, is excited to have Beth joining the board. “Her generosity, spirit, compassion, and commitment already shine,” Fromer said, “and I’m so grateful that she accepted this honor and that we will have a new opportunity to work together, making a difference, side by side.
“There’s something uniquely powerful about women coming together in philanthropy—sharing ideas, lifting one another, and multiplying the good we can do in the world. Our collective voice and purpose create lasting change far beyond what any one of us could achieve alone. Beth’s energy and fun personality are a perfect fit for the board. They, and I, are lucky to have her.”