Women philanthropists are the change makers of our Orange County Jewish community. This passion for community is the bedrock of Women’s VOICES, the flagship event powered by Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of Orange County.

Women’s VOICES 2023 will be at the Renaissance Newport Beach. Join us as we honor our 2023 Woman of the Year, Lori Schwartz, and raise critically needed funds for Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.

 

 

Lori Schwartz is community service personified – locally and nationally. Locally, she joined the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Council in 2005 and soon thereafter co-founded its Reading Partners volunteer program. In 2011, she was elected Vice President of Reading Partners, and received the OneOC Spirit of Volunteerism Award for this program. An avid knitter, Lori also co-founded, in 2009, the WP Mitzvah Mavens Knitting Circle. As an instructor of the group and a knitter, she has created everything from blankets for pediatric cancer patients at CHOC Children’s Hospital to warm winter hats for Israeli soldiers. She served for two years as WP Council Executive Vice President, and in 2014 became President of the Council, serving through 2016.

 

In 2015, Lori began an eight-year term on the Federation Board of Directors. She was elected Board Co-Chair in 2017, served as Board Chair in 2018-2019, is a current member and Past Chair of the Federation’s Grants and Allocations Committee, and has served on the Strategic Planning Committee.

 

At the national level, Lori is a recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), bestowed annually on extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism. The honor was presented at the 2016 International Lion of Judah Conference. In 2022, Lori was elected to the JFNA National Women’s Philanthropy Board.

 

An inspiring role model through her philanthropy over two decades with Jewish Federation, Lori is a longtime Ruby Lion of Judah, and a Federation Legacy Circle member, having created a Lion of Judah Endowment to fund her gift in perpetuity.

 

Born and raised in northern California, Lori received a B.A. in political science from UCLA, and a Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate School of Law. During her business career, she worked in commercial law, and as a contract negotiator with McDonnell Douglas, before retiring to raise her family. Lori and her husband Bert White have been members of Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot for 33 years.

 

 

 

 

 

Dietary laws observed.
Self-parking included 

Everyone is welcome.

 

*JFedOC observes all current CDC and State of CA COVID-19 guidelines as well as guidelines of the event venues. These protocols, and the advisability of in-person events, are subject to change.