Mar 27, 2026

Mikki Futernick: Making Women’s History in Jewish Miami

With Women's History Month ending, The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation pays tribute to Miami’s own Mikki Futernick, who made history by creating the International Lion of Judah Endowment Program in 1992. Two decades after the revolutionary Lion of Judah was established in Miami by Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland, both of blessed memory, Futernick conceived the endowment known today as Forever Lion. To date, 275 Miami women have become Forever Lions by creating a legacy that endows their Annual Campaign gift of $5,000 or more, ensuring a donation in their name will be made to Federation every year, forever. Their commitment is recognized with an Or L’Atid flame (Light to the Future) on their Lion pin. Click here to hear from Mikki Futernick about the significance of the flame and here to read her story in the Book of Life.