At the Hadassah Foundation’s 25th Anniversary celebration, HF@25: A Jewish Experience of Gender Justice, in New York City on December 9, founding board member Dr. Joan Leiman accepted the Foundation’s first-ever Dvorah Award for Distinguished Board Alumnae. The award celebrates the invaluable contributions of a Hadassah Foundation past board member and recognizes an individual who has helped drive equity and excellence in all their endeavors. Embodying the ideals of the Hadassah Foundation, the selected alumna will have accomplishments that led to substantial social change, improving opportunities and outcomes for those who weren’t previously afforded them, most especially for women and girls

In addition to playing an instrumental role helping to shape the Hadassah Foundation’s initial strategies, Joan also established the Foundation’s Bernice S. Tannenbaum Fund for Education, which underwrites Hadassah Foundation educational programs that address timely issues impacting gender equality, recent advancements in philanthropy, and the needs of the Foundation’s grant recipients. Prior to supporting educational programs, between 2009 and 2018, the Tannenbaum Fund underwrote the Bernice S. Tannenbaum Award, which was presented annually to an emerging professional who demonstrated a high degree of talent and commitment to the advancement of women and girls. (Learn about each recipient here.)

“It is not merely what Joan has accomplished that makes her so special, it is how she approaches situations, challenges, and opportunities,” said Janice Weinman Shorenstein, another founding board member, in presenting the award. “Joan brings a level of intellect and astuteness in her observations that is unmatched. She would lead me to view an issue that I understood well with a new perspective, not settling until every aspect of a matter had been considered. This, coupled with her natural leadership ability and endless determination and energy, is why she is so deserving of the Dvorah Award.”

Learn more about Joan in this video below and in the HF@25 digital journal.