For the past 15 years, the Jewish Women Entrepreneur and Executive community has been at the forefront of supporting and elevating female-founded businesses. Its annual conference is one of the most anticipated events for women in business globally, bringing together visionaries, founders, and leaders for a day of inspiration, connection, and growth.
This year’s conference, themed “Powered by HER,” will take place on April 27, 2026 in Newark, NJ, and the Crown Heights community, along with the broader Chabad world, will have a significant presence.
Speakers and Sessions
Shani Lechan of Shani Wigs will be a featured speaker, sharing her expertise on building a successful brand and scaling a business in today’s competitive marketplace.
Rosie Goodman and Chana Jacobson of Female Founded, a Crown Heights-based initiative supporting women entrepreneurs, will join a panel alongside leaders of similar organizations to discuss fostering community, collaboration, and opportunities for growth.
Simi Polansky and Gitty Hecht will join popular influencers and motivational speakers Charlene Aminoff and Maya Namdar on a session titled “Powered by Emunah: Leading with Faith in Uncertain Times.”
Chava Shapiro of Hillside, NJ will lead a roundtable discussion on work-life balance, one of the most pressing conversations facing women in business today.
New Leadership
The organization is also thrilled to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer & CEO, Mouchka Heller. Mouchka grew up in the Chabad community in Paris, France. After attending Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University, she went on to Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Mouchka began her entrepreneurial journey in college to help fund her tuition, and for the past 15 years has worked across both the private sector and the world of diplomacy. She currently resides in Stamford, CT.
Founded By Her: The Gifting Suite
An exciting focal point of this year’s conference is the “Founded By Her” gifting suite, where attendees will be able to experience and shop curated products from female-founded brands. The suite will feature companies including Sary Farkash Makeup, which recently launched a new cosmetics line, and the popular chocolate brand California Gourmet, alongside other rising women-owned businesses.
Event Production
The conference is being coordinated and produced by Esty Rapoport of Your Event by Esty, who has been producing memorable events for the past five years.
Scholarship Fund
The JWE has been deeply moved by the number of women who have reached out expressing a strong desire to attend the conference but who are currently unable to afford the cost of a ticket. Among them are single mothers working to rebuild their futures, business owners navigating challenging seasons, and women facing genuine financial hardship who are seeking growth, connection, and renewed direction.
A scholarship fund has been established to directly subsidize tickets for women who would otherwise not be able to attend. If you are in a position to contribute, your generosity creates real opportunity. To apply for a scholarship, email [email protected].
The JWE Conference has always been more than just an event. It is a reminder that when women support each other, entire communities grow. This year, with a packed program, new leadership, and a community showing up in force, that truth will be on full display.
If you are a female business owner, entrepreneur, or executive, secure your tickets at thejwe.com/conference. Use code COL50 for $50 off!
Group tickets: Bring 5 or more women together and get discounted tickets at thejwe.com/conference.
The JWE is proudly sponsored by the Walder Foundation, whose support enables us to expand our programming and reach more Jewish women entrepreneurs across the country.
