Aug 19, 2019

Leadership Mission to South America

Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Tammy Woldenberg recently returned from a mission to Argentina and Uruguay with Federation leaders from throughout the US. The group explored the vibrant Jewish communities in Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Against the backdrop of the sights and sounds of the two cities, the group witnessed the impact Federation funds have on our people around the world and returned home energized for the year ahead. Woldenberg said, “I saw that with Federation’s help, these communities can come back from economic upheaval and terrorists attacks to become thriving centers of Jewish life.”

The trip reinforced the concept that as a Jew, even if you are by yourself, you are never alone in the world. The participants met with Ambassador Edward C. Prado, the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, the newly appointed President of the Jewish Federations of North America, Eric Fingerhut, and other officials to gain a better understanding of Jewish life in Argentina (especially with the recent economic upheaval) and Uruguay. In addition, they heard about the ongoing crisis in Venezuela and the impact on the Jewish community.

The mission participants paid tribute to the victims of the bombing on the AMIA (Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina) building in Buenos Aires, which occurred 25 years ago this past July, killing 85 people and injuring hundreds. It is Argentina's deadliest attack to date. They visited the memorial site of what was once the Israeli consulate, also bombed two years before that in 1992.

The group met with local philanthropists and leaders, toured Jewish day schools and synagogues and heard from representatives from Federation overseas partners the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), The Jewish Agency for Israel and World ORT, all of which play a significant role in enhancing Jewish life, such as the award-winning Universidad ORT Uruguay, the country’s largest private university attended by students of all denominations.

To learn more about getting involved with Women's Philanthropy, contact Ofi Osin-Cohen at [email protected] or 786.866.8440.