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Setting Course: Tracy Gordon Steers
Women’s Philanthropy Group
N ot afraid to turn away from a challenging role,
Tracy Gordon has been a devoted leader in the
Philadelphia Jewish community for 25 years.

As Gordon attests, it was the encouragement she received
from those close to her that empowered her to take on new
roles with confi dence.

It is with this same confi dence that Gordon enters her
next leadership chapter as chair of Women’s Philanthropy,
an affi nity group of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia that brings together and uplift s women
changemakers to create a better world through giving and
hands-on volunteering.

“I am so grateful for all of the extraordinarily talented
women I have met through Women’s Philanthropy, who
Tracy Gordon
have been my role models,” explained Gordon, who was
installed as chair on May 25 during the group’s closing
board meeting at Green Valley Country Club. “Women’s Philanthropy is highly
skilled at identifying leadership opportunities for women which are slightly
outside their comfort zones, and then providing an encouraging and safe space
in which they can inhabit these roles. I was encouraged to take on roles which
seemed daunting at fi rst, but ultimately laid the groundwork for my growth and
development.” Among Gordon’s vast experience within the Jewish Federation, she has served
as the co-chair of the Board for Jewish Life and Learning — now known as the
Committee for Jewish Life and Learning — and as a member of the campaign
team and a member of the board of trustees. Within Women’s Philanthropy,
she has served as the group’s campaign chair, co-chair of Women’s Leadership
Development Program, and vice chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Board. For
the last year, Gordon has served as chair-elect of the affi nity group, learning from
Immediate Past Chair Julie Savitch.

We spoke with Gordon to learn more about her leadership journey and aspira-
tions for Women’s Philanthropy.

My advice to someone looking to get involved with
Women’s Philanthropy is to take the initiative. Please
do not sit back and wait to be asked. I remember when
I was new to Women’s Philanthropy, and I was hoping
to be asked to take on roles in the organization. Aft er
feeling “passed over” a few times, I shared with my hus-
band that maybe I should direct my energies elsewhere.

Fortunately, he gave me the excellent advice to take
the fi rst step and reach out to the lay and professional
Women’s Philanthropy leaders, express my interest in
getting involved, and explore ways in which I could
contribute to the organization. My inquiries were met
with warmth and enthusiasm. As chair, I encourage
anyone interested in deepening their involvement with
Courtesy of Tracy Gordon
Women’s Philanthropy to please reach out to me, Lindsay
Davidman (director of Women’s Philanthropy) or Sarah
Lefk owitz (development associate for NextGen and Women’s Philanthropy). We
are always looking to engage new leaders in our work.

Why do you give to the Jewish Federation?
Although our family supports many diff erent Jewish institutions and agencies,
our gift to the Jewish Federation is a philanthropic priority, largely due to the
breadth of its impact. Th e Jewish Federation provides the infrastructure for the
entire Philadelphia Jewish community and is uniquely positioned to marshal
resources and comprehensively meet the community’s needs at a moment’s
notice. Having worked in allocations for a decade as co-chair and member of the
Board of Jewish Life and Learning, I have a deep respect for the exhaustive vetting
process through which the Jewish Federation’s allocation decisions are made. I
trust that the Jewish Federation values my commitment and will be a responsible
and visionary steward for my investment in Jewish continuity.

What has been one of your most meaningful experiences in Women’s
Philanthropy? One of the most meaningful experiences I have had in Women’s Philanthropy was
being asked to share my “camp story” at a Pomegranate Society event a few years
ago. I shared that I had been the recipient of a scholarship from a Jewish philan-
thropist when I was 10 years old. Th at donor’s generosity enabled me to attend
Jewish overnight camp for nine years, which ultimately changed the course of my
life. At camp, I met my future husband, George, when we were 12. We would go on
to create a Jewish home, and raise four children who attended that same overnight
camp (Camp Harlam) and Jewish day schools. Any contributions I have been able
to make to the Jewish community originated with that single act of philanthropy
45 years ago. Sharing my personal experience was not only profoundly meaningful
in terms of empowering me to “own my own story” but also felt deeply signifi cant
in its potential to inspire others to appreciate the power of their own philanthropy.

As the new chair of Women’s Philanthropy, what do you hope to accom-
plish for the next two years of your term?
My primary objective as chair is re-engagement. Women’s Philanthropy, under
Julie Savitch’s outstanding leadership as past chair, has been impressively
successful in navigating the unique and unprecedented challenges of COVID-
necessitated virtual programming. Nevertheless, over the past few years, we have
become less connected. Our priority moving forward is providing meaningful
opportunities for self-identifying women to connect with one another, hopefully
in person, in supporting the most pressing needs of the Jewish community.

Personally, I am deeply committed to the values of expansiveness and inclu-
sivity. I hope to broaden our tent, and help create a space in which women who
have not felt drawn to Women’s Philanthropy in the past will be inspired by the
relevance, transparency and consequential nature of our work. I have found my
involvement in Women’s Philanthropy to be deeply gratifying and feel blessed to
help galvanize others to join us in building and sustaining a strong and vibrant
Jewish community.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get involved
with Women’s Philanthropy?
For more information about Women’s Philanthropy, contact Lindsay Davidman,
director of Women’s Philanthropy, at ldavidman@jewishphilly.org or 215-832-0502.

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