Press Kit

Be the first to receive news from NCJW. If you are a member of the press and would like to receive NCJW press releases and updates, please contact Emily in the NCJW Washington Office.  

Mission Statement

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.  

Read more about the organization’s guiding principles, priorities, and resolutions in NCJW’s Resolutions Brochure as well as NCJW’s Vision for America.

History

NCJW was founded in 1893 by the pioneering social activist Hannah Greenebaum Solomon.  

Explore NCJW’s historical milestones in the organization timeline.

Read “Building A Legacy,” excerpted from the NCJW Journal. 

Leadership


Linda Slucker, NCJW President

Linda Slucker was elected president of NCJW in March 2011, after serving as an NCJW vice president for three years and three years as assistant treasurer. Among many other roles within NCJW, Slucker has been actively involved in NCJW’s development work, serving on the Investment committee and chairing the NCJW Fund Development committee. In addition, Slucker played key roles in major NCJW initiatives and in signature national events, including serving as a spokesperson for BenchMark: NCJW’s Judicial Nominations Campaign from 2002–2005 and serving as vice chair of Washington Institute in 2004.

Her professional leadership also includes work in her community. In 1996, Slucker co-founded the Rachel Coalition, a Jewish Response to Domestic Violence in MetroWest, NJ and served as its co-president until 1998. During her 1996–1998 presidency of NCJW, Essex County Section, NJ, she established and served as chair of the NCJW, Legacy for the Future Endowment Fund, which was created to ensure the long-term financial viability of the section. Slucker has been an active member and supporter of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel for more than 35 years.

Linda is a courageous, effective advocate of social change whose commitment to justice is grounded both in her Jewish and feminist values. Her vision, passion, and devotion to mobilizing the voice of progressive Jewish women inspire powerful grassroots engagement on women’s and civil rights issues — locally and nationally.

To schedule an interview with Linda Slucker, president of NCJW, please contact the organization’s office in Washington DC: 202 296 2588 ×5.

Learn more about NCJW’s Board of Directors »

 

Nancy K. Kaufman, NCJW CEO

Nancy K. Kaufman is the chief executive officer of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), 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.


Kaufman has had a distinguished career as a public servant, advocate, and non-profit leader. Prior to joining NCJW, Kaufman served as the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Boston for twenty years, where she led the social justice, Israel advocacy, and governmental affairs agendas for Boston’s Jewish Federation, its agencies and other Jewish communal organizations. She has also held a variety of positions related to health and human services delivery in state and local government and in the nonprofit sector, including being founding executive director of a community action agency and working for the Dukakis administration as deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Social Policy, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, and deputy commissioner of the Welfare Department for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Kaufman is a graduate of Brandeis University and received an MSW in community organization and social planning from the Boston College School of Social Work, as well as a mid-career Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She is also a recipient of an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Northeastern University. Among other honors, she received an award for Greatest Contribution to Social Policy from the National Association of Social Workers in 1980, the Alumni Achievement Award from Brandeis University in 2002, and the Woman of Valor Award in 2007 from the Jewish Funds for Justice.   

Follow Nancy K. Kaufman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ncjwceo

View Nancy K. Kaufman’s expert profile.

To schedule an interview with Nancy K. Kaufman, NCJW CEO, please contact the organization’s office in Washington DC: 202 296 2588 ×5.

Campaigns and Initiatives

NCJW’s campaigns and initiatives champion progressive policies; help improve the lives of women, children, and families through local and federal-level advocacy work; and provide educational resources and action opportunities that enable NCJW members and supporters to maximize their impact as agents of social change.  

Learn more about the following domestic and Israel-focused programs:

Annual Report

NCJW’s Annual Report documents its programs, projects, and financial information.  

Download the 2009-2010 Annual Report »
Download the 2008-2009 Annual Report »
Download the 2007-2008 Annual Report »