Women’s Philanthropy is thrilled to announce Robin Robbins and Jenifer (Jen) Thomas as our new Chairs-Elect!

Robbins and Thomas will be installed as Co-Chairs of Women’s Philanthropy at the Closing Board Meeting in the spring of 2024. Both Robbins and Thomas have been actively involved within Women’s Philanthropy, serving as Vice Chairs for several years. 

Over the next year, they will shadow and learn from current Women's Philanthropy Chair Tracy Gordon as she completes her term. 

ABOUT ROBIN ROBBINS

Robin Robbins is a proud philanthropist, mentor and community leader. Robbins has served in various leadership positions within the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, including the Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees, Vice Chair of Women’s Philanthropy, the Committee for Jewish Life and Learning, Chair of the Committee for Social Responsibility, Chair of the Campaign Team, and member of the Missions Committee. Currently, Robbins is the Class Chair of her National Women’s Philanthropy Board cohort.

A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Robbins’ philanthropic career initially began with her proactive involvement at her children’s school, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, where she held several senior volunteer leadership positions. Her extensive work at the school is an expression of her dedication to, and support of, Jewish learning and life.

Since her son Ben’s mental health diagnosis in 2014, Robbins has dedicated her time and energy to support him and plan for the future. She uses her knowledge and experience to support and coach families who are beginning similar journeys. She currently serves on the Board of the Unicorn Children's Foundation in Boca Raton, Florida.

Robin and her husband Fred are the proud parents of Ben Batoff, Caroline Batoff, Matthew Robbins and Seth Robbins. Robin can usually be found in Center City, Longport, or Florida.

ABOUT JENIFER THOMAS

Jenifer Thomas is a dedicated lay leader and people-connector within the Jewish community. Thomas has been a passionate advocate for the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, having been on the Campaign Team, the Pomegranate Committee, and Co-Chair of Super Sunday’s Fort Washington site in 2020. Most recently, Thomas served as the Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Development Program and is leading the Jewish Federation's Momentum trip to Israel in the summer of 2023. Thomas has also hosted and spearheaded numerous women’s speaker events and community-building events.

Thomas is deeply involved in Temple Sinai in Dresher, PA, where she is the Co-Executive Vice President Elect and was previously Vice President of Fundraising and Vice President of Education. She has served on the synagogue Board for 10 years. Thomas started her volunteer leadership career almost 20 years ago at Temple Sinai, serving as the President of the synagogue’s Preschool PTO, and as Chairperson of the Young Sisterhood group, Z’havah. 

Thomas is an active participant in her children’s school community and currently sits on the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy’s Parent Ambassador Committee and the Barrack Builders Committee. 

Outside of her lay leadership roles, Thomas is also working towards her Master of Jewish Professional Studies through Gratz College. 

She resides in Maple Glen with her husband Mike and their children: Jacob, Jonah and Sophie. When not in Maple Glen, Thomas and her family can be found in Margate, New Jersey.

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The Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy engages compassionate and committed women at every stage of life in the fulfilling work of building and supporting Jewish life today and for generations to come. To learn more about the work of the Women’s Philanthropy affinity group, visit jewishphilly.org/wp or contact Women’s Philanthropy Director Lindsay Davidman at ldavidman@jewishphilly.org.