Mitzi Berkelhammer: Community philanthropist, devoted volunteer, doting grandma

Mitzi BerkelhammerAnyone who knows Mitzi Berkelhammer knows she is a loving wife and proud mother of three, an adoring grandmother of two and a true gem of a lady, sincere and committed to the Jewish community with her whole heart. She now adds her latest role as the 2015 Annual Campaign Chair for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island to her impressive resume.

A native Rhode Islander, Mitzi is proud of her local roots and continuously gives back to the community. “Bob and I do give to other charities but our main philanthropic priority is the Jewish Alliance. For us, it’s the right thing to do,” she says of herself and her husband, also active and generous within the community.

Mitzi brings with her many years of philanthropic and lay leadership experience. She also brings a love of service and dedication to the position. “Our ongoing efforts and involvement in the Jewish Alliance enables us to give back, to help those in need, and to build a strong foundation for our support to continue to sustain the Jewish community in the years to come.”

“I’ve always been involved in the Jewish community,” she says. Mitzi has served repeatedly on the Caring and Social Responsibility Committee of the Alliance’s Community Development Committee, a function of community planning and allocations. “It was an honor to serve on the board and raise money for the Annual Campaign, and in time, I became president of the Women’s Alliance. I felt it was important to also become a member of the Women’s Alliance Endowment Fund.”

In preparation for her newest role, Mitzi recently participated in a Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Campaign Chairs and Directors Mission to Greece and Israel, which emphasized for herself the importance of making a difference in her own backyard as well as around the world.

While in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece, Mitzi and Trine Lustig, Alliance Vice President of Philanthropy, visited a Jewish community that grew from the destruction of the Holocaust to a tight-knit group of 5,000 today. Although this same community was deeply affected by the economic collapse of 2011, with support from campaigns like that of the Alliance in partnership with JFNA and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) made a positive impact in Greece, and continues to make an impact worldwide. “In light of the current political situations in Israel, Greece, Russia, Ukraine and around the world, in addition to the sudden surge of anti-Semitism, we cannot forget about our overseas family.”

Reflecting on her participation with the Lions of Judah April 2013 Cuba Mission, Mitzi shares that there is need everywhere. “We saw firsthand the needs of our Jewish brothers and sisters. When I went to Cuba, I realized there are people all over the world who need things a lot more than we do in here in Rhode Island. However, I want to ensure we have a strong local Jewish community because if there aren’t people who care about Jewish life here then we won’t be able to help anyone anywhere.”

In September Mitzi will receive the Kipnes-Wilson/Friedland Award at the International Lion of Judah conference in New York City. This award honors one Lion in each community exemplifying the spirit of Lion of Judah. Mitzi’s ongoing commitment to tzedakah and tikun olam, her many leadership roles at the Alliance and her decision to establish a Lion of Judah Endowment to sustain a vibrant Jewish future make her a clear winner for this honor.

Now, as 2015 Annual Campaign Chair, Mitzi’s overarching goal is to increase giving and attend to those who can be touched through giving.

“The focus for our campaign this year is increased dollars and donors,” she says, acknowledging the need for greater exposure to generate younger involvement.

“We aim to touch the entire community of course, but our focus needs to be our future – young families, those who are able to really reap the benefits of the Jewish Alliance and all it offers, its programming and services.”

And while times may be tough locally and around the world, Mitzi’s head and heart are focused on what needs to be done, reinforcing the ideals and values of Judaism today and every day forward.

JENNIFER ZWIRN is in Grants, Planning and Endowment at the Jewish Alliance.