Rebecca Newman, who served as president of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County from 1993 to 1995, has been conferred an even higher honor by that organization. During a recent meeting of UJF's executive committee, she was presented with a life membership on the executive committee of its women's division..

Only three other women in Federation's history have been so honored, according to Miriam Robins, women's division director.  They were Anne Ratner, who has been a Federation supporter for a half century; Sivia Mann and the late Sophie Brody.

Newman went from the local Federation to national prominence as head of the National Women's Philanthropy Campaign, which is an arm of United Jewish Communities--an umbrella organizations for Jewish Federations across America.

In that volunteer capacity, she raised $170 million in contributions from Jewish women nationally. One notable accomplishment of her tenure in that position was holding the Lion of Judah Conference in 2000 not in Washington D.C., as is usual, but in Jerusalem.  Lion of Judah pins are presented to women who annually contribute $5,000 to UJF's campaign.

It is perhaps not suprising that with such a talent for fundraising, Newman made a professional career change, leaving the real estate field to become UCSD's associate vice chancellor for health sciences development. Married to Dr. Larry Newman, a physician, heath has been a field close to her heart.

In another of her capacities, as a member of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee's board and executive committee, Newman has focused on providing timely aid--including medical supplies--to distressed Jewish communities around the world.  In particular, Newman specialized in monitoring for the "Joint" the affairs of Jewish communities throughout Latin America.

The honorary lifetime membership came with two red roses, and a congratulatory  note from Tammy Moch, president of UJF's Women's Division.

"You could not have provided me wtih a more meaningfrul tribute and I am humbled by your action," Newman was reported by Lori Mathios, the Federation's director of marketing, to have replied.  "To be in the company of those three women is both flattering and challenging, and I will always seek to follow in their model. — Donald H. Harrison