San Diego Federation leader Lori Polin is being honored with the 2018 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award for her extraordinary involvement in our local community. 

During the past 35+ years, Lori has impacted the Jewish world both locally and globally. A New York native, she was active in the United Synagogue Youth movement and developed a love of Israel and a strong connection to her Jewish heritage at an early age. Since then, Lori has served as Vice Chair of Philanthropy, a Federation Board and Executive Committee member, and an Israel Missions Chair. She also has been an active force on the Women’s Philanthropy Board, most recently, co-chairing Federation’s 2018 Options, the most widely-attended event by Jewish women in San Diego. 

Lori’s leadership extends throughout the San Diego Jewish community, including important roles at the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, and Seacrest Village. 

“I strongly believe in community and taking care of Jews less fortunate then me,” she says. “I feel that Federation has afforded me the opportunity to do both of these things.”

A proud Lion of Judah since 2007, the prestigious, internationally recognized Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award is given to Lions of Judah who have demonstrated the highest ideals of leadership and involvement. Lions of Judah are the most dynamic philanthropic Jewish women in the world. They are strong women of all ages and an international sisterhood of thousands of global activists who care deeply about the Jewish future. 

These women set an exemplary standard of leadership and giving. Honorees are selected by their communities as “women of valor” who have shown a lifelong commitment to the Jewish world.

“This award took me by surprise,” Lori says, “and I was completely overwhelmed and honored to receive it. I do the work I do because it makes me feel good and proud to be Jewish. This award is like the icing on the cake—it tastes delicious, but clearly isn’t what motivates me. I’m motivated to make a difference in our community, Israel and throughout the world and to insure a Jewish future for my children and grandchildren.”

Lori joins past San Diego Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland honorees Sherron Schuster, Andrea Oster, Elaine Galinson, Terri Bignell, Theresa Dupuis, and most recently, Claire Ellman. All Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipients will be honored during the International Lion of Judah Conference in Florida in January 2019.

Click here to register for this event.