On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, Women’s Philanthropy Virtual Coffee Hour featured Susan Goldman (Suze), Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Elms College, who specializes in clinical social work. Susan was also featured on Sunday, Nov. 1 as part of the Past Women Presidents of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts virtual program and luncheon.
President of the JFWM from 2015-2017, Suze Goldman’s emphasis was on uniting the Upper and Lower Pioneer Valley and ensuring that portals to Jewish life and Jewish community are open to all. Suze grew up in a small, close-knit Jewish Community in Upstate NY, where her father was the rabbi, and her leadership began in NFTY: The Reform Jewish Youth Movement. As a social worker, she knows that empathy translates to leadership, and people give because they want to be part of the community. Her goal was to find different ways for people to connect, including the Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival which continues to bring people together from across the community. She shared fond memories of Belle Rosen bringing rugelach to community members getting on the bus for a 1983 Federation Mission, which exemplified the kind of caring leadership Suze has emulated. She also mentioned her participation in the current Women’s Philanthropy Virtual Coffee Hour series and the way it has supported our community during this time of crisis. As Suze concluded, working on behalf of our community is holy work!