In Talks with Jennifer Kryshka, CEO of JWF Palm Beach

Today we connect with Jennifer Kryshka, CEO of JWF Palm Beach (Jewish Women's Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches), an organization with the mission to raise the status of women and girls in Palm Beach County, throughout the U.S. and in Israel.

Jennifer is leading the organization's feminist advocacy and grant making through a gender lens which has led to the funding of some incredible programming for non-profits such as the Pace Center for Girls, The Compass Center, CodeArt, KidSafe Foundation, Futures Without Violence, Unchained at Last, The Lord's Place and many others. As women make up 56% of the workforce yet still only earn $.82 per dollar compared to men, JWF's focus for 2021-2022 is on economic security and financial empowerment for women and girls.

Jennifer sits down and chats with us everything from the issues facing women economically today to the seminars, events and programming focused on topics from budgeting to investing to retirement planning that JWF offers. Dive into the insightful interview below and find out moreJewish Women;s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches here.

How did you get involved with the Jewish Women's Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches (JWF)?

After living in the D.C. area for 6 years, I was ready to move back to Florida to be close to my family. I emailed all of my friends in Florida to let them know I was looking for a position with a nonprofit, and a good friend of mine was active with JWF and told me the then director was hiring. I started as a consultant and a month later, I was asked to come on as a full-time employee. Next month, (August) I will celebrate my 7th year anniversary with JWF.

What are the core values of JWF?

Our work is based on Jewish values including Tzedakah (Justice), Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), and Gemillut Chassadim (Acts of Loving Kindness).

We strive to uphold Jewish values as individuals and as an organization.

We believe…

• Transforming culture is the way to elevate the status of women and girls.
• Women and men are impacted differently by policies, practices, and institutions.
• When women have opportunities and knowledge, they are empowered to make choices.
• Using our collective voices and resources amplifies our impact.
• Being resilient allows us to navigate and adapt to change.

In your eyes, what is one of the biggest challenges facing women these days in the US? And internationally?

In most ways, women and girls are in a better position than ever before, but there are still many challenges and areas where women’s status needs significant improvement. Sexism exists everywhere in varying degrees and isn’t always overt. I think one of our biggest challenges is dispelling the myth that women have already achieved gender equity, which seems to be a widely held belief by both men and women. The pandemic exposed the disparity between men and women when it comes to caregiving and the economic impact experienced by millions of women in the US.

I think women experience similar challenges globally, although each culture, country, and region have their own cultural norms that contribute to what types of rights are afforded to women and girls. We need more women in leadership and decision-making positions if we want to see social change.

How does JWF help women get involved with their community, especially in the Palm Beach area?

Outside of some of the organizations we fund, all of our efforts are concentrated in Palm Beach County. We offer community education events to highlight pressing issues impacting women and girls in our community and ways they can help, whether through advocacy, volunteering, or sharing what they have learned with others. Our Professionals Network is a vehicle to bring together women professionals and entrepreneurs in the county to expand their contacts, help grow their business, and expose them to JWF and the work we do.

JWF not only helps the advancement of women, but you also engage men in preventing violence against women.

What is the most valuable piece of financial advice you would give to young women?

Learn how to budget your monthly finances, don’t spend what you don’t have, save at least $25 a paycheck, and contribute to employer retirement plans as soon as you are eligible. If you want to support causes that are important to you, donate directly to the organization. Go Fund Me campaigns very often are not legit and things like 5Ks or charity walks have a lot of overhead and are not the best way to make an impact.

What is the most valuable piece of financial advice you would give to older women?

Don’t rely on your husband or partner to handle all of the finances. Participate in meetings with your money management team, whether it’s a CPA, attorney, or advisor, and ask as many questions as you need to. Don’t let your husband or partner manage your philanthropy, either. If you have issues that are important to you, support the amazing organizations who are addressing those issues and doing the work.