Terri Bignell Named Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award Recipient

Terri Bignell

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County has named Terri Bignell as the 2013 San Diego recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award. The award recognizes an extraordinary woman who has set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in her community. Terri and other community award winners will be recognized at a special ceremony at the upcoming International Lion of Judah Conference in New York City this September.

"I am honored and deeply touched to be recognized and I look forward to being actively involved with the Jewish community for the years to come and continuing to fulfill the responsibilities this award embodies," stated Bignell. "I am extremely proud to represent San Diego for this award and look forward to joining Lions from around the globe for the upcoming conference in NYC," Bignell continued.

Each community was encouraged to nominate one woman who has a proven commitment to the worldwide Jewish community. Criteria for the award includes being a Lion of Judah for a minimum of five years; exhibiting leadership in the Federation; having a Lion of Judah Endowment; making a significant impact in the local Jewish community, in Israel and abroad; using leadership in creative ways to address community challenges and issues; displaying initiative in the areas of philanthropy and/or volunteerism and setting a standard for others in the community; giving other women encouragement, motivation and opportunity to take a leadership role in philanthropy and Jewish community involvement; and embodying the spirit and vision of Lion of Judah through a commitment to tzedakah and tikkun olam (repairing the world). The award was established in recognition of Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland, founders of the Lion of Judah Society.

Terri Bignell has been an invaluable member of San Diego’s Jewish community for nearly thirty years. She has inspired countless people through her intelligence, passion and vision and has been involved in nearly every aspect of the Federation. She has been the Associate Women’s Division Director from 1986 to 2002, and soon went on to become an active volunteer leader becoming Women’s Division Vice President for Leadership Development, and then President of Women’s Division from 2007 – 2009. Terri has been a proud Lion of Judah since 2002, established her LOJE in 2003, and chaired numerous Lion activities and events, was Vice President of Community Planning and Innovation, and currently sits on the Federation board.

Terri’s leadership has extended throughout the San Diego Jewish community. She has been a member of the Hillel board, a member of the inaugural Endowment Leadership Institute of the Jewish Community Foundation and is currently Coordinator of Congregation Beth Israel’s 150th anniversary project. An avid lover of gardening, cooking and interior design, Terri is the proud mother of a daughter, Leah.

For more information on the International Lion of Judah Conference in New York City or on the Lion of Judah Division, please call Debbie Kempinski at Jewish Federation at (858) 737-7133.