Lions of Judah

While every dollar counts, there has been extraordinary movement in women's giving. It is called the Lion of Judah. And it is roaring.

Introduced in 1972 for the Miami Women's Division campaign, the Lion of Judah pin has firmly established itself as a symbol of commitment to the worldwide Jewish community.

The diamond inset 14-karat gold pin was created for the woman making a personal pledge to the annual campaign of $5,000 or more. When the program started, there were 16 women who qualified; by the end of the 1970's, there were more than 400 women in Miami who proudly wore their Lion of Judah pins. Each year that a woman sustains or increases her minimum $5,000 gift, she is eligible to have a small diamond set into the pin. This service is provided by the community or region.

The Lion of Judah pin with a Ruby signifies a $10,000 contribution. Donors who contribute $18,000 and $25,000 are recognized with Sapphire and Emerald stones, respectively. A Canary (Zahav) diamond recognizes $50,000 donors. The Sabra Lion (Cognac Diamond) is for any woman who gives $75,000 and the Prime Minister’s Council Lion (White Gold pin with Black Diamond) is for those women who give $100,000 or more. In 2008, the 36th Anniversary of the Lion of Judah, two new levels were created: an annual gift of $36,000 for the Double-Chai Lion with an Amethyst, and the ILR Lion of Judah for $250,000, a White Gold-Diamond Pave Lion.

The right to wear the pin at the appropriate level is contingent upon a woman’s individual contribution to her Federation’s Annual Campaign.