March 11, 2026
6:30 PM
Temple Israel
West Bloomfield
Women’s Philanthropy’s Premiere Annual Fundraising Event
Our annual women-only event is a not-to-be-missed celebration of the local and global impact that the Jewish women of Detroit make through their support of Federation’s Annual Campaign. This year, we are leaning into our Jewish joy and ready to treat you to a colorful and inspiring evening that we hope will leave you craving even more community.
We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Ben-Ishay to the stage this year! Melissa will share the story of building her brand and how her Jewish upbringing and identity have shaped her path both personally and professionally. She’ll be joined on stage by our moderator Lindsay Pinchuk, award-winning podcast host of Dear FoundHer and Detroit native.
Cocktails | Mocktails | Wine
Melissa’s Recipes and Cupcakes
Dietary laws observed.
Ticket Prices
$60 Early Bird until February 22
$75 Beginning February 23
$40 Virtual
NEXTGen Detroit Pricing (for ages 21 to 39)
$36 Early Bird until February 22
$50 Beginning February 23
In addition to the cost of a ticket, a minimum gift of $150 to the Jewish Federation’s 2026 Annual Campaign is required to attend.
About Melissa Ben-Ishay
Featured Speaker
Melissa Ben-Ishay is the co-founder and CEO of Baked by Melissa, the dessert brand celebrated for its bite-size cupcakes. Founded in New York City in 2008, Baked by Melissa has several stores in the NYC area and ships nationwide. Melissa personally develops every nostalgic flavor, creating the perfect gift for all of life’s moments, big and bite-size. In 2020, Melissa’s recipes went viral on TikTok, inspiring millions of followers to finely chop every salad for the perfect ratio of flavors in every bite. Her cookbook, Come Hungry, launched as an instant NYT bestseller in 2024, and her newest highly anticipated cookbook, Come Eat, will be released on April 21, 2026. Check out Melissa’s Instagram and TikTok.
About Lindsay Pinchuk
Moderator
Lindsay Pinchuk is an award-winning acquired founder, podcast host, and marketing consultant, and part of less than 1% of female founders who have successfully led a company through acquisition. She began publicly advocating for Israel and the Jewish community on October 8, 2023, after a video she shared went viral overnight. More than two years later, she remains a consistent voice of clarity and conviction. Despite losing nearly thousands of followers, Lindsay gained many more, and now travels the country sharing her message: It’s Never Wrong to Do What’s Right. Lindsay was named a 2025 “Women to Watch” by Jewish Women International. She is the founder of Dear FoundHer…, a top 0.5% podcast and community for women over forty in business. She lives on Chicago’s North Shore, but will always call Detroit home. You can find Lindsay and Dear FoundHer… on Instagram.
Registration
Thank you to our Signature Leadership
Co-Chairs
Tracie Fienman
Julia Gorman
Jennifer Liss
Sophia Roslin
WP President
Nancy Glen
WP Campaign Chair
Shelly Rubenfire
2026 Signature Host Committee
- Stefanie Aronow
- Andrea Belen
- Amy Berlin
- Amy Berman
- Carey Bloom
- Regina Colton
- Danielle DePriest Newman
- Stacy Doctoroff
- Wendy Eisenshtadt
- Abigail Epstein
- Susan Feber
- Suzanne Fellows
- Natalie Finerty
- Jennifer Fishkind
- Samantha Foon
- Jennifer Freedland
- Robyn Glasser
- Emily Hunegs
- Jill Ingber
- Lilly Jacobson
- Sue Kaufman
- Jayme Kirschner
- Naomi Laker
- Rachel Lefkowitz
- Shayna Levine
- Ilana Liss
- Jennifer Maxbauer
- Elana Miodownik
- Leigh Moss
- Amy Neistein
- Andi Nitzkin
- Heather Rosenberg
- Lisa Rothberger
- Sherry Shanbom
- Allie Sherman
- Robbie Sherman
- Jennifer Silverman
- Sherrie Singer
- Emily Slabotsky
- Nancy Stone
- Julie Trepeck Harris
- Melissa Wolf
- Julie Yaker
- Barbara Zaltz
Thank you to our Sponsors
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