NCJW President Appointed by President Obama to White House Advisory Council
April 6, 2009, Washington, DC -- Nancy Ratzan, president of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), was today appointed to the President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The council is intended to strengthen the ability of faith-based and other neighborhood organizations to deliver services effectively in partnership with federal, state, and local governments and with other private organizations, while preserving fundamental constitutional commitments.
"I am deeply honored to be a part of President Obama's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships," Ratzan said. "My selection is a tribute to NCJW's record of 116 years of speaking out and taking action as a faith-based organization on behalf of social justice and progressive social change.
"I look forward to working with the president, his staff, and the other members of the Advisory Council to realize the goals we share," Ratzan added. "NCJW is gratified that in his executive order of February 5, the president made clear that federal government programs will honor our fundamental constitutional commitment to equal protection of the laws, the free exercise of religion, and the First Amendment ban on the establishment of religion.
"We believe that leadership and engagement by faith-inspired and other community organizations is vital to improve communities and create positive change. We look forward to this extraordinary opportunity to have a voice in the administration's plans and proposals as part of the council."
Ratzan is one of twenty-five members of the council. Prior to becoming NCJW president, Nancy Ratzan was the founding chair of the organization's BenchMark campaign on judicial nominations. An attorney residing in Miami, Florida, Ratzan is a former partner of the Miami law firm Steel Hector & Davis, where she specialized in appellate, First Amendment, and higher education law.
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org