By Billy Thompson
Digital Marketing and Graphic Design Associate

The Jewish Federation’s connection to Israel is exemplified in its Partnership2Gether relationship with Israel’s Yoav region. To celebrate this, Women’s Philanthropy gathered to hear Connor Hayes, director of community programming for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, present on the many ways Yoav and the Lehigh Valley have helped each another. A video was sent here from each member of the P2G committee in Yoav thanking the Valley community for its continued collaboration and contributions.

To express our gratitude, Women’s Philanthropy coordinator Lee Kestecher Solomon and mitvah project committee chairs Fay Kun, Rachel Levin, Ilene Ringold, and Miriam Zager decided to create a communal mosaic art piece. The mosaic, now finished, was designed by Billy Thompson, digital marketing associate of the Jewish Federation, and funded by the women of our community.

The purpose of this project was three-fold. One, to collect donations to the Operations Swords of Iron Israel Emergency Campaign. Two, to deliver a unique, meaningful gift to the Yoav committee. And three, to gather our women in a fun, charitable endeavor. The effort was rewarded with more than $1,600 raised to aid Israel. A huge thanks to all the women who came out to foster our connection with Israel and Yoav. 

On the evening of the event, we together finished a large portion of the mosaic, and the following week, Amy Oselkin and Gia Jones came to the Federation office to complete the project with Solomon.      

The project will be delivered to the Yoav committee during the Federation’s next mission to Israel.