Ruth Eisenberg Has Been a Member of Bet Mishpachah Since 1981, As

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Ruth Eisenberg has been a member of Bet Mishpachah since 1981, as she joined shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C to work for the Security and Exchange Commission. Since that time, she has dedicated her entire legal career to the public sector. As an attorney myself, Ruth has been an inspiration, and it is my honor to give this award on behalf of the congregation. After leaving the SEC, Ruth litigated disability rights cases at the National Veterans Legal Services Program and served as Director of Legal Services at the Whitman-Walker Clinic, representing hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDs to fight discrimination during the height of the epidemic Ruth, a partner of the DC firm Harmon, Curran, Speilberg & Eisenberg, is known as one of Washington’s leading lawyers representing nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in employment and general corporate matters. Her book is extensive and the nonprofit community is lucky to have her. Her mom as well, who happens to be a neighbor of my grandmother’s in Chevy Chase, whom she visits often with kosher deli from Moti’s. But our Ruth, our Ruth! has also been an activist for lesbian and feminist causes since her college days in St. Louis, Missouri. Did you know, that in the early 1980s, Ruth was part of a group of subversive D.C. lesbians who took direct actions, such as painting “In Search of Reagan’s Brain” on the sidewalk in front of the conservative Heritage Foundation? She has participated in many protests in Washington, D.C. over the years, and in the last four too many to count. With her wife Leti at her side, they are a force to be reckoned with! As you may know, Ruth has devoted her extra time to serving on various non-profit organization boards that have included: the Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League; the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and Whitman-Walker Health. She also served as member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee to the District of Columbia Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Affairs (GLBT). Currently, Ruth serves on the Board of Directors of SAGE, a national organization which works to improve aging for LGBT people. Don’t be surprised if she asks you for a donation – and I encourage you to make one to SAGE, or to Bet Mish in honor of this award. Ruth Eisenberg has devoted both her entire professional and personal activist energy to justice, truth, righteousness and lovingkindness. Always with a generosity of heart and that great hearty laugh. .

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Mishpachah Matters
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