Jewish Women International proudly announces Lynn Schwartz as the 2024 recipient of the Sofie Stahl Memorial Award.
Originally created by The Day chapter of JWI (then B’nai B’rith Women) and the Stahl Family, the award honors a Jewish woman whose volunteerism demonstrates a lifelong commitment to helping those in the Richmond metropolitan area.
Beneficiaries of this highly coveted honor (with few exceptions, given annually since 1963) are chosen by previous years’ recipients.
This year, Mrs. Schwartz will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, May 5, at the Weinstein JCC.
According to her nomination, “…sometimes the quietest people make the loudest impact. Lynn’s devotion to the Jewish Community and the secular community has left its mark in so many ways. Her attention to detail and the questions she raises are always for the betterment of whatever board or project she is working on.”
There is so much she has done that one wonders where to start! Highlights of her volunteer career listed below are only part of all that she has done.
Within the Jewish community, Lynn’s early volunteer work saw her chairing JWI (BBW) Gila chapter’s holiday gift wrap fundraiser at Regency Mall. For Sabra Hadassah, she served as president (2004-2006) and as program chair of numerous Hadassah committees. She also served as President of the Jewish Woman’s Club (2009-2011).
The Weinstein JCC has benefitted from her being on the board of directors for approximately 25 years (1999-present) and as president from 2010-2012. Numerous programs for JCC include, among others, her being chair or co-chair of the most recent Capital Campaign where more than $5 million was raised; launching and co-chairing the Leadership Development Program that won a national award at the international JCAA Biennial in May 2018 Recognizing Excellence in Leadership Development Programs (currently chairing the fourth class of participants); chairing the 2018 JCC Harmony event at the Altria Theater and offsite satellite programming (a unity event with 2 a cappella groups – The Maccabeats and Naturally 7).
The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond is another organization where she has served as an officer, executive committee member, chair or board member (Federation National Women’s Philanthropy Board, currently on JCFR Women’s Philanthropy Cabinet, JCFR Board treasurer, Co-chair JCRC Mission to Washington, Women’s Jewish Network Chair).
Also, for the Federation, Lynn co-launched the Student Division (Youth Philanthropy Program) where she went to Sunday schools, Rudlin Torah Academy, Hillel, Jewish Student Union, etc to talk about Tzedakah and JCFR (2005-2019) and also volunteered in the Richmond Jewish Coalition for Literacy (RJCl) mentoring program.
Outside the Jewish community, Lynn has been very busy. She has served on several boards including Bon Secours Community Advisory Board (2015-2017) and Cadence Theater Company Board (2013-present).
She co-launched a program called “It’s All Art” bringing art to at-risk individuals in group settings (recently released incarcerated individuals, at-risk pregnant mothers, homeless individuals, etc).
She was chosen to be a member of the Leadership Metro Richmond Class of 2013. In addition, she volunteered in Lt. Governor Tim Kaine Constituent Services and Scheduling Office (2002-2006).
All this has not gone unnoticed, leading to her receiving several awards. Besides the Sofie Stahl Memorial Award, Lynn has earned the JCFR L’Dor V’Dor Award (2017), the Center’s Bernstein Volunteer Leadership Award (2013, 2014), JCFR W. H. Schwarzschild Award (2013), the JCC President’s Award (2006, 2012, 2017), National Hadassah Leadership Award (2009), and Hadassah Presidential Award (2006).
Beyond all that, she has completed 2 half marathons; is a member of two Book Groups; plays canasta and mah jongg. Also a member of Richmond Culinary Guild, Lynn finds time for travel, knitting, and being a grandmother to FIVE grandsons and now a granddaughter!
Award Brunch on May 5
On Sunday, May 5 (10:30 a.m.), Mrs. Schwartz will be honored at a brunch at the Weinstein JCC. The public is encouraged to join JWI, the Stahl family, previous Sofie Stahl recipients as well as Lynn’s family and friends for the presentation of this richly deserved award.
Per person couvert for the brunch is $50. Pledge levels are Gold $75 and Platinum $125.To RSVP, checks (payable to JWI) should be mailed by April 21 to JWI, c/o Arlene Slutzah, 4907 Daffodil Circle, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
For more information contact Arlene at 804-747-0765 or arlene4907@gmail.com.
About JWI
Founded in 1897, JWI is the leading Jewish organization championing women and girls (i.e., everyone who experiences the world as female) – of every race, culture, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation – by protecting their rights and safety, strengthening access to long-term economic security, and lifting and mentoring women leaders. JWI envisions a world, free of violence and inequity, where all women and girls thrive.
As in past years, proceeds from the Sofie Stahl event support JWI’s National Library Initiative.
This program provides for a woman fleeing an abusive relationship, when the immediacy of danger often means leaving home with only her children and the clothes on their backs, and where JWI helps ease this traumatic upheaval by creating children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters – transforming basic spaces into comforting havens with colorful furniture and rugs, computers and toys, and hundreds of new books that represent the diversity of the women and children served.
For kids whose lives have been upended by violence, JWI libraries provide a safe place to relax, escape into a book, and keep up with homework when they’re most at risk of falling behind in school.
JWI’s goal is to complete 100 fully-furnished new libraries in shelters across the country, and continually restock the shelves of existing ones so that each child leaves the shelter with a favorite book in hand, ready to start a new life.
