--- title: Celebrating Laughter and Light at the Annual Lion of Judah Event description: Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia proudly celebrated its Lions of Judah supporters on Tuesday, May 20, at the Switch House at the Battery. The annual event, which brought together nearly 200 women, honors the impact of those who generously contribute $5,000 or more to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. image: https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/54534633332_71633bd6fc_h.jpg --- [![Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/JewishFederation_May2019/images/logo--color.svg)](https://jewishphilly.org/) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - 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The annual event, which brought together nearly 200 women, honors the impact of those who generously contribute $5,000 or more to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.   The evening was organized by a multigenerational team of Women’s Philanthropy leadership, including Event Co-Chairs Gail Norry and Tracey Specter, Campaign Chair Allison Goodman, Women’s Philanthropy Co-Chairs Robin Robbins and Jen Thomas, and a host committee of 75 volunteers and supporters.   This year’s celebration honored philanthropist Margie Honickman with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, which is presented biennially to a woman who has made a significant impact on the Jewish community through philanthropy, volunteerism and leadership. Honickman joined the ranks of past honorees Mary Relles, Lyn Neff, Phyllis Finkelstein, Connie Smukler, Ann Spain z’l, Lana Dishler, Beth Reisboard, Cis Golder z’l and Annabell Fishman.   “Margie represents what it means to be a Lion,” shared Women’s Philanthropy Co-Chair Robin Robbins. “She is passionate, generous, joyful and always looking for ways to make the world better.”   Event Co-Chair Tracey Specter introduced Honickman during the program and reflected on the impact of this year’s theme, “When There is Laughter, There is Life.”    “While Margie is passionate about many causes, for her, the most important part of tonight was bringing together this group of extraordinary women to laugh,” said Specter. “Laughter is healing. It’s medicine. It’s a form of resilience — and we all need it right now.”   In line with this year’s theme, guests enjoyed a stand-up performance from Jewish comedian and Emmy Award winner Judy Gold. Gold has appeared in comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix’s “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration” and is the author of “Yes I Can Say That: When They Come For The Comedians, We Are All In Trouble.”    [Click here](https://www.flickr.com/gp/jewishphilly/WJ6Cou43f5) to view photos of the event!   ![54535696379_99d9ce9620_o](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/54535696379_99d9ce9620_o.jpg?width=688&height=459&name=54535696379_99d9ce9620_o.jpg) Attendees gathered to celebrate women leadership and philanthropy.   ![Lion of Judah 5](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Lion%20of%20Judah%205.jpg?width=688&height=459&name=Lion%20of%20Judah%205.jpg) Honorees with Women’s Philanthropy and Jewish Federation leadership.   ![Lion of Judah 2](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Lion%20of%20Judah%202.jpg?width=688&height=459&name=Lion%20of%20Judah%202.jpg) Event Co-Chairs Gail Norry and Tracey Specter present Margie Honickman with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award.   ![Lions of Judah 3](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Lions%20of%20Judah%203.jpg?width=688&height=459&name=Lions%20of%20Judah%203.jpg) Attendees enjoy stand-up comedy from Jewish comedian Judy Gold.   ![Lions of Judah 4](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Lions%20of%20Judah%204.jpg?width=688&height=459&name=Lions%20of%20Judah%204.jpg) Honoree Margie Honickman with her family.   \*\*\*   A Lion of Judah is a woman who makes a generous contribution of $5,000 or more to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Annual Campaign. To learn more about Lion of Judah, contact Director of Women’s Philanthropy Lannie Hulnick at [lhulnick@jewishphilly.org](mailto:lhulnick@jewishphilly.org) or 215.832.0502   Share [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.jewishphilly.org/celebrating-laughter-and-light-at-the-annual-lion-of-judah-event&title=Celebrating%20Laughter%20and%20Light%20at%20the%20Annual%20Lion%20of%20Judah%20Event) [Share on Twitter](http://twitter.com/home?status=Celebrating%20Laughter%20and%20Light%20at%20the%20Annual%20Lion%20of%20Judah%20Event+https://blog.jewishphilly.org/celebrating-laughter-and-light-at-the-annual-lion-of-judah-event) [Share by Email](mailto:?subject=Celebrating%20Laughter%20and%20Light%20at%20the%20Annual%20Lion%20of%20Judah%20Event&body=Celebrating%20Laughter%20and%20Light%20at%20the%20Annual%20Lion%20of%20Judah%20Event%20-%20https://blog.jewishphilly.org/celebrating-laughter-and-light-at-the-annual-lion-of-judah-event) ### Sign up for the *Jewish Philly* E-Newsletter [Back to The Latest](https://blog.jewishphilly.org) # Related Posts ## Blog June 30, 2026 # From Local Jewish Federation Real Estate Grants to Federal Investment: What Needs to be Done for Jewish Communal Security ## Blog June 29, 2026 # Upcoming Jewish Federation Events in July ## Blog June 26, 2026 # The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Mobilizes Community Members for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg [Tweets by JFedinPhilly](https://twitter.com/JFedinPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Find us on ![JFGP_KO_rgb](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JFGP_KO_rgb.png?width=300&height=84&name=JFGP_KO_rgb.png) Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Two Commerce Square 2001 Market Street, Suite 2300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 [215.832.0500](tel:1-215-832-0500) | [info@jewishphilly.org](mailto:info@jewishphilly.org) *The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia welcomes the participation of Jews across the religious spectrum, interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. 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