Welcome from Women of Vision’s Incoming Chair

I am so excited and honored to begin my term as Chair of Women of Vision.

First and foremost, I am thrilled to be part of such a smart and passionate group of women who are dedicated to improving the lives of Jewish women and girls.  And what an amazing time to be a member of Women of Vision! We are celebrating 30 years of achievements and success attained by using our collective resources, talents and voices to make a meaningful impact locally and in Israel. 

A little bit about myself for those who do not know me yet. I live in Center City with my husband, Scott, who sits on a million Jewish boards, and our dog, Cody.  We have three daughters. Our youngest daughter, Emma, recently moved to Denver. My other two daughters, Cara and Danielle, live in the Philadelphia area. Fun fact, my grandson, Avi, lives right across the street. I can actually hear him calling “mom mom” from my house! Participating in and giving back to the Jewish community and supporting Israel has always been a big part of my life. Over the years, I have been a member of Women’s American ORT (my mom was a national vice-president), Hadassah, Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy group. But nothing touches my heart more than being involved with WOV. 

As a mother of three girls, I am keenly aware of the issues women and girls face in fighting for equity and equality in today's world. Our targeted grantmaking has the ability to make sustainable change in these areas. I am proud to be a part of the Grants Committee and have a vote for the organizations we select. 

I also respect the passion our women bring to the table as we advocate for policies that allow women to have control over their own lives and bodies. We must continue to make our voices heard. I cannot think of a more important legacy to leave our children and grandchildren than creating a more equitable and just society through the work we do at WOV.

Looking to the future, I am eager to build upon the incredible work done by my predecessors. Their efforts and leadership have made this organization what it is today, and I am grateful for their guidance (thank you, Carly Zimmerman!).

Working together, I know we can:

• Continue to grow our membership and endowment fund so that we can make even more of an impact in the lives of women and girls through our grantmaking. (Kudos to our Advancement Committee members, who  already surpassed their goals!)
• Encourage our members to join our Grants Committee. Make your vote count!
• Engage in advocacy initiatives to raise awareness about issues that affect women. Join us on September 12 for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg!
• Work on projects and initiatives that address our common goals with Women’s Philanthropy, JCRC and our past grantees. Learn more about our commitment to partnership with JCRC here. 
• Provide programs that focus on educating and empowering our women.
  
  

This position is such a tremendous honor for me and I look forward to working with all of you alongside our fabulous director, Shara Swift. Thank you once again for your trust and support. Here's to a successful and fulfilling journey ahead!

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Andi Barsky will officially assume her role as Chair of Women of Vision on September 1, 2023.

Women of Vision impacts the lives of self-identifying Jewish women and girls across generations and geographic boundaries through strategic grantmaking, advocacy and educational programs leading to social change and social justice. You can learn more about and become a member of Women of Vision by clicking here or by reaching out to Shara Swift, Director of Women of Vision and Campaign Pipeline, at sswift@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0841.