“I was fortunate to have grown up in a city which was deep in generational Jewish families, where being involved with Jewish Federation was always the definition of community. So, when Mike and I moved to Orange County in 2005, I joined Women’s Philanthropy to make friends, meet like-minded women, and offer my help to expand Jewish services to our community and to Israel through JFedOC.
"Given the rise in antisemitism in recent years and notably since October 7th, I have felt more strongly than ever about increasing my work in our community and my philanthropy -- we need to keep our Jewish identity strong. It is our responsibility to support Jews in need and Jewish causes because if we don’t, who will?
"I feel so fortunate to live here and have the opportunities we do. We need to take to heart the saying I learned early on, which is to 'give as you live,' and I’ve never been more certain in my life that the time to make a difference is now.”
Margot has served in numerous leadership roles with Jewish Federation. She currently sits on the Board of Directors, the Philanthropy Committee, and the Community Planning & Grants Committee. In Women’s Philanthropy, over her 20 years of involvement, she was chosen for the second cohort of JFedOC’s SKILLSET Leadership Institute, served a four-year term as Campaign Chair, and was a Chair of Women’s VOICES. In 2024, she began an eight-year term on the National Women’s Philanthropy Board of Jewish Federations of North America.
Interested in stepping up your philanthropic leadership by joining our passionate women who are shaping our Jewish future? We are now recruiting for our 2025 Women’s Philanthropy Council.
Contact Women’s Philanthropy Director, Jahanna Semelroth.
Our Women’s Philanthropy Council (WPC) is an active committee of 40 leaders spanning 30 to 90 years of age, representing the breadth of Jewish OC from north to south and foothills to beaches, as well as diversity of organizational and religious affiliations. The WPC is the force behind Women’s Philanthropy's outstanding VOICES fundraising efforts, Giving Society events, and Mitzvah Mavens volunteer opportunities.