Elaine Savinar and Sharon Weil make up a powerhouse mother-daughter duo with a long history of giving to the Portland Jewish community. We asked both women some questions:
How did you become involved, and what did you do?
Elaine and Sharon: Elaine said that her involvement stems from watching her father’s long-time involvement in Victoria and Vancouver, BC where she grew up. In fact, her father was awarded the “Outstanding Jewish Citizen of Vancouver, British Columbia”, was included in two books “Who’s Who in British Columbia” in 1949-50 and Jewish Communities of Canada. Later, when he passed away, a memory that both Elaine and Sharon share is that the funeral motorcade carrying Elaine’s father drove from the synagogue and then stopped at each Jewish institution he “built.” Everyone who was part of the funeral procession drove from the synagogue to the JCC and so on until reaching the cemetery. The impact of that moment, his community impact, and their commitment honors his memory.
Why were Jewish women in particular involved in organizing the Jewish community in Portland?
Elaine: “We were thankful for our lives. We felt we should give back and not just take. We were involved in our community from childhood onward.”
What was the role of young women in organizing the Portland Jewish community?
Elaine: “In the 80’s women helped Jewish Family & Child Services resettle and put together households for Russian immigrants who came to Portland because of Operation Exodus. And, Women’s Division at Federation began the $1 a Day Campaign to try and educate women about their responsibility to make a gift in their own name. We would meet women for coffee, lunch, with kids — whatever it took! Most of us did not work and did not have a separate income from our husbands. We were given an allowance and we wanted to make a Woman’s Gift.”
Elaine has been involved with the Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Family and Child Services, where she served as a president, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, both locally, in Women’s Division and nationally as a member of the National Women’s Board.
What kind of influence has your mother been on you and your sisters?
Sharon: “I followed my mom! As a teen I was involved in BBYO and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority at the University of Washington. As an adult I was asked to join the Women's Board where I was a member for 6 years. I recently completed 8 years on the National Women's Philanthropy Board. I am now serving with Liz Menashe, the current Portland representative on the National Women’s Philanthropy Board as Co-Chairs of Portland's LOJE (Lion of Judah Endowment).”
What has kept you involved?
Sharon: “I feel strongly about the community. After my first mission in 2004 in Tbilisi, Georgia, I met a woman had to decide whether to buy food or medicine. I felt compelled to come back to Portland and tell this woman’s story.” Sharon also knows that if she wants to help a tragedy outside of Portland, she can rely on Federation to get her money to the right place and help people on the ground quickly – Jewish or non-Jewish. “It’s comforting.”
What would each of you tell other women about leadership, philanthropy, and the Jewish community?
Both women weighed in on this answer together: “Federation touches people you will never see in your lifetime, and you can color your life and meet people by giving and doing. It’s a good and fulfilling way to go through life.”
