Barbara Spigel

Dallas

I'm so honored to be awarded the Kipness Award! I just wish that my parents and husband could be here now.

As for my inspiration, it would have to be my father, Joe Tills. My mom told me that every Friday afternoon he would go to our synagogue to make a weekly donation. I am sure it wasn’t a lot of money, but it impressed me.He was committed to helping people in need.I know that more than once when our black housekeeper was in financial straights, he instructed his truck driver to deliver food to her home.This makes a lasting impression on a child!

Once I became a Federation member, my dear friend Madeline Cytrin in San Antonio taught me the importance of women giving in their own name.m I was newly married, and just assumed that my husband’s Federation gift could speak for me too. Madeline taught me the importance of women having their own voice and giving in their own name. I suppose she taught me the importance of “woman power”!

And finally, learning of what Federation does around the world, convinced me of the importance of Federation.  I remember a story being told to me by a Russian immigrant about how the elderly await the food deliveries on Friday so they can celebrate Shabbat and have food for the week.These elderly “shut ins” who live many floors up in the Russian high rises without elevators, await these weekly deliveries. Who could not possibly want to support such an organization?  Federation is a lifeline for so many people around the world.