In just under one month, we will celebrate Ruth Malman as the 2025 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipient at this year’s Lion/Pom Luncheon, taking place on Tuesday, September 24 at the Cable Center in Denver. The Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award is presented every two years to a Lion of Judah who exemplifies the highest standards of philanthropy and volunteerism. Recipients of this award are fierce defenders of vulnerable communities, a credit to local and global Jewry, and powerhouses in promoting a strong Jewish future. JEWISHcolorado is delighted to present Ruth Malman with this year’s award and look forward to sharing this moment with the Colorado Jewish women’s philanthropy community.
We are also excited to host not one, but two incredible guest speakers at this year’s Luncheon. Together, we will hear from Iris Kraemer, the current Chair of Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) National Women’s Philanthropy, as well as listen to the story of Liz Hirsh Naftali, a leading U.S.-based hostage release advocate, as she shares her heart-wrenching personal connections to the devastating events of October 7th.
We applaud Ruth Malman as this year’s Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipient, and we look forward to sharing in her joy at the Lion/Pom Luncheon on September 24.
About Liz Hirsh Naftali
Liz Hirsh Naftali is a Hostage Release Advocate and Humanitarian Ambassador, driven by a deeply personal mission. Motivated by her niece’s murder on October 7th by Hamas terrorists and her great-niece Abigail’s abduction in Gaza that same day, Liz has led efforts for her release and that of 250 other hostages, engaging leaders worldwide. Her advocacy transcended borders, engaging esteemed figures and leaders worldwide. Additionally, she hosts The Capitol Coffee Connection Podcast where she sits down with an array of elected leaders for coffee and conversation about heart and humanity, not politics and policy. The conversations dive deep into the ethos’s of these remarkable individuals who have dedicated their careers to public service; it peels back the layers that reveal the common thread that binds us all together – our shared experiences, stories and dreams for ourselves and the world. Learn more about Liz Hirsh Naftali and her work here.
About Iris Kraemer
Iris Kraemer previously served as Southeast Consortium Co-Chair of Partner 2Gether, as well as both Campaign Chair and Board Chair of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida. She is currently the Governance Committee Chair. Iris has been a member of the National Women’s Philanthropy Board for the past four years and has served as Book and Author series Co-Chair and Class Chair. She also served as Education Chair on the Torah Academy Day School Board in Jacksonville.
Kraemer is a member of JFNA‘s Financial Relations Committee and of the Antisemitism and Security Subcommittee of the Domestic Policy and Public Affairs Committee. She is a member of the Jewish Agency for Israel North America (JAFINA) advisory committee. Kraemer is a recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award and the Joe P. Safer Humanitarian Award. Learn more about Iris Kraemer and her work here.
Register and make a tribute here.