posted by Linda Slucker, NCJW vice president and incoming president

Barely 30 minutes had elapsed since I was notified of my nomination to be NCJW’s next president. With a phone in each hand, I was fielding congratulatory calls while trying to place my own to tell my family and closest friends, when my husband Rudy interrupted me. “Tell me your social security number!” he demanded. Thinking he was doing something routine with our finances, I was mildly annoyed. “Later!” I said. “No now,” he replied, “Sammie Moshenberg is on the line and wants your number so you can get into the White House Hanukkah party!” Thus began my whirlwind introduction to a new role with NCJW.

As my husband and I walked through the doors to the White House on the evening of December 9, I caught myself imagining who else had entered this portal before us – presidents, world leaders, heroes. After security, we were immediately greeted by White House staff with, “Welcome – this is your house.” Members of the armed forces in dress uniform stood smartly at attention in each room, ready to answer our questions. We could sit anywhere! We were at a party in a real house with a gracious host, not in a museum, despite the historic character of every stick of furniture, painting, and object. We found Sammie and Nancy K. Kaufman, our soon to be CEO, as well as Nancy Ratzan and her husband Ken. Old hands at White House events, they showed us around. As we entered the reception area, we mingled with the powers that be – Senator Spector, Senator Cardin, my good friend Senator Lautenberg, and many others. Senator Lautenberg brought Vice President Biden over to chat; we posed for pictures. More pictures with Supreme Court Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, and Kagan. Sammie urged us to take some of the plentiful food – we did not get lunch in our dash to Washington – but as soon as I tried to eat, yet another introduction intervened!

The highlight of the reception of course was meeting President and Mrs. Obama, and being able to thank them personally for their work on behalf of women, children, and families. They were attentive and unhurried. The spirit of the season, the welcoming atmosphere, the unpretentious hospitality in the midst of splendor made the event unforgettable.

We proceeded to the lighting of the menorah – a special one, retrieved from the muck of Katrina. Restored by its owner, Congregation Beth Israel of New Orleans, it perfectly captures the symbolism of hope that is the essence of Hanukkah.

Afterward, we attended the Hanukkah party hosted by Rep. Debby Wasserman-Schulz, in another elegant setting – the Members Room of the Library of Congress. It was certainly an evening to remember – not only for the gracious hospitality, impressive settings, and moving ceremony, but also because it acknowledged NCJW’s key role in the movement for social justice. As I hope to assume the mantle of national leadership for NCJW, I am inspired by all the work of NCJW members and their many achievements that are the real reason for my invitation to the White House. And in the spirit of the festival of light, I pledge to carry that work forward in a way that ensures NCJW will always deserve its reputation as a leading voice for women, children, and families; peace and justice; fundamental freedoms, and Jewish values, bringing light to the dark corners of our nation and the world.

Weeks, months, years of hard work by NCJW advocates all over the country came down to this – the November 17, 2010 vote in the US Senate on the Paycheck Fairness Act. The House had passed this important civil rights measure back in 2009 along with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Paycheck Fairness, which passed the House by a wider margin than the Ledbetter bill, would make important strides in closing the wage gap between men and women. Since the House acted, the bill has languished in the Senate until last week.

Wearing red to symbolize the fact that without equal pay women are “in the red,” NCJW Senior Legislative Associate Elissa Froman and I joined other fair pay advocates in the ornate reception room just off the Senate floor. We all knew that the bill needed 60 votes to break through a filibuster that was keeping it from an up-or-down vote. Within minutes the vote concluded – 58-41 in favor of moving forward with consideration of the bill – two votes short and a crushing disappointment!

But there was little time for post-mortems as the top leaders on the fair pay issue left for a meeting in the West Wing of the White House with “senior administration officials.” I was privileged to be invited representing NCJW at the small meeting in the Roosevelt room also attended by Lilly Ledbetter. We arrived to find name tents placed around the table indicating our seats and that soon President Obama would be joining us! Valerie Jarrett started the meeting by sharing the administration’s deep disappointment in the Senate vote. She and Melody Barnes, Tina Tchen, and other White House officials listened intently to our reactions and reflections until the President entered the room.

President Obama emphasized his strong commitment to the bill and to the equal pay cause, sharing with us the administration’s efforts to enforce the Equal Pay Act and to find ways to achieve equal pay for women. I was impressed by his earnest dedication to the issue and his understanding that, despite the partisan loss in the Senate, the American people – both men and women – strongly supported equal pay.

It was a small gathering but I knew that all of the thousands of NCJW advocates who had spoken out for Paycheck Fairness were there with me in spirit, and I suspect that President Obama knew that, too!

By Anne London, NCJW Vice President

I wanted to share the incredible journey that was NCJW’s first 24-hour Inside the Beltway Experience to celebrate the founding of the NCJW Center for Social Change and engage first-hand the work of NCJW in our nation’s capital. From the moment we began our adventure in the ornate Member’s Room of the Library of Congress to the closing when we unveiled a plaque by artist Gary Rosenthal in the NCJW Washington office, 15 NCJW leaders and supporters were fully immersed in how NCJW has been in shaping the American democracy of today.

At the Library of Congress, which houses NCJW’s archives, we explored our rich history. We saw the clear intersection between our efforts throughout our 117 year history to advance civil liberties, childcare, equal pay issues, individual rights, and reproductive rights and American social progress – a result of the work that our members and staff continue to do in their own cities, states, and at the federal level. NCJW women have always demonstrated their courage as pioneers in their work toward the betterment of people’s lives. Seeing a small piece of the historical collection of NCJW, even papers from Hannah G. Solomon, gave us the chance to “feel” our proud history that is a permanent part of the Library’s collection.

As we began our afternoon, we saw two exquisite mosaics meant to express the virtuous concepts of law, glory, righteousness, wisdom, history, peace, and mercy. The artist used women to depict these concepts. Throughout the Library we saw statues of women representing art, commerce, history, law, philosophy, poetry, religion, and science. I couldn’t help but feel like these statues were sending us a message about the impact women have had on all of our culture. It was a wonderful place to set the context for what we would experience over the next 24 hours as we felt NCJW’s impact in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Being a powerful force for social change requires people with vision to commit their resources and talents to advance the progressive causes that NCJW champions. I am honored to be among the group of people who have the vision to continue and nurture our organization and exponentially expand the impact we have on the future of American society by being a part of NCJW’s Center for Social Change.

Editor’s Note: For more information about NCJW’s Center for Social Change, please contact Debbie Stillman at Debbie@ncjwdc.org or 202 296 2588 ext. 2.

I am just returning from a 24-hour NCJW DC immersion experience.

My first “stop” was the confirmation hearing of Solicitor General Elena Kagan, to serve as Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court. Watching General Kagan on the “witness stand” taking command of the hearings was inspiring and instructive. She demonstrated fluid knowledge of the law as well as uncompromising devotion to the ideals of access to the courts and equal justice for all.  I was reminded of my law school days, and the awe-inspiring experience of sitting before an exceptional legal scholar who not only understands and reveres the rule of law, but also then expresses legal understanding with exquisite clarity and poetic passion.  If confirmed, I look forward to reading future Justice Kagan’s wise opinions. 

My next event was a White House gathering on the South Lawn for senior federal advisory appointees. I had the privilege of attending this gathering with my husband because I was appointed to serve on President Obama’s Advisory Council of the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  President Obama, who spoke extemporaneously (after Michelle Obama good-naturedly removed his prepared speech), reflected on the accomplishments of the past 18 months and aspirations for the coming months. And then he acknowledged what we, as advocates, know to be true: change happens only because of our involvement, engagement, and tenacity. 

My final stop on this 24-hour DC sojourn was a meeting with the Senate Democratic Leadership and leaders of national women’s organizations. We had an intimate and meaningful dialogue about women’s economic security, health care, and reproductive rights — noting that each are inextricably linked and deeply impacted by the three branches of government. 

I leave DC emboldened and renewed. Being at the tables of change and having a powerful grassroots network of change-makers and mobilizers makes NCJW valued, vital, and visible. By engaging, we are building on our legacy of making a difference where it counts the most.

Now it the time to work to ensure the confirmation of General Kagan, and the legislative policies needed to create the kind of changes that we know are possible — the kind of changes that will ensure equal access and social justice for all.

by Donna R. Gary, honorary vice president of NCJW and executive committee member of ICJW

The 21st International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) Convention was hosted by the Union of Jewish Women of South Africa  in Cape Town, South Africa May 8-11, 2010. More than 225 women from 23 countries gathered for intensive forums on contemporary issues, as well as conducting the business of the organization. 

Current pressing concerns of the global Jewish community provided the core themes for the convention. Experts presented on Israel-Diaspora relations in a changing international reality and contemporary anti-Semitism. A highlight was Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, “The Travelling Rabbi,” who gave fascinating briefings on Jewish communities throughout Africa. In addition, a panel of exceptional young leaders addressed how they see their role in the Jewish community, how they would set their community agenda, their perspective of global Jewish issues, and their view of the future of volunteering. Additional sessions addressed human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, the effects of media on the psycho-social experience of teen girls, the environment, human rights, and cultural/religious/ethnic diversity. 

 ICJW leaders from NCJW-USA were well represented at the Convention. The opening program session, Chaired by Donna R. Gary, NCJW-USA, focused on “Women as Leaders of Social Change” and featured an impressive panel of female advocates, academics, and visionaries in the global sphere of nonprofits. Panelists included Helen Lieberman, founder of the award winning social service NGO Ikamva Labantu; Professor Marion Jacobs, Dean, UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences; and Nomfundo Walaza, CEO of The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. In other events that weekend, Madeleine Brecher (NCJW-USA), as a member of ICJW’s United Nations team in NYC, participated in a panel that illuminated ICJW’s international work and global interfaith initiatives. Felicia Anchor (NCJW-USA) delivered the D’var Torah at the opening plenary.

Election results for the ICJW officers included names that will be quite familiar to the NCJW community:

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It doesn’t take a long time — I’ve learned — for the President to announce the nomination of a Supreme Court Associate Justice. That was true last summer when I joined the gathering at the White House for President Obama’s introduction of Sonia Sotomayor as his choice to fill Justice Souter’s seat. And it was true today as I represented NCJW at the White House ceremony announcing the replacement for retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. 

On Monday, April 26, approximately 150 state advocates gathered in Washington, DC, for the Paid Sick Days Summit. Hosted by the National Partnership for Women and Families and Families Values @ Work, NCJW allies from across the country came to DC to advocate for family-friendly workplace policies like the Healthy Families Act (HR 2460/S 1152) — just like NCJW did in March at Washington Institute.

I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to speak to this group on behalf of NCJW. And, with so many passionate advocates in the room, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to introduce Higher Ground: NCJW’s Domestic Violence Campaign.

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Since New Year’s Day is not a recognized holiday in Israel, I decided to spend the eve counting my blessings instead of partying. One of the biggest blessings I have is the honor of living in Israel, in the State of Israel. A Jewish democratic state is not something that we should take lightly — after all, we waited for it for 2000 years. I do not take it lightly and as the director of NCJW’s Israel Office, I have been charged with working with Israeli organizations here in Israel that advocate for or help protect human rights. 

Israel is an amazing country that has managed to create a viable state with a stable economy, as well as having absorbed millions of immigrants from over 70 countries who speak 40 different languages. This all takes place in the violent and troubled Middle East, and in an area no bigger than the State of New Jersey. I do count my blessings for being able to be part of this amazing miracle in the Land of Miracles.

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By Donna Gutman, member, NCJW Board of Directors

Recently, I joined a group of NCJW members and leaders on the 2009 Mission to Israel, an opportunity to see Israel through the eyes of NCJW. We visited sites associated with the NCJW Israel Granting Program, and met with the incredible women who are at the forefront of Israeli society. We participated in workshops, interacted with the directors and participants of the various granting sites, and spent time with women leaders in the arts, politics, and education. Each of us who participated in this very special trip left Israel inspired, affirming our belief that NCJW is truly an organization with a progressive vision marked by a faith in the future and a belief in action.

The NCJW Mission included a visit to Eden, a boarding school for at-risk teenage girls and an NCJW grant recipient. Here, these young women are protected from dangerous environments that include domestic violence, neglect, and sexual abuse. Of the twenty-four girls who currently live at Eden, approximately ten take part in the “Sweet Future” project, an inspiring program that is a very important part of their rehabilitation.

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by Christine Stone, Pennsylvania state public affairs chair, NCJW

At 6:30 am, in the cold Pittsburgh air, I filled up my car with a tank of gas and started on a four hour drive to our nation’s Capitol.  As I drove through the small towns and mountains of Pennsylvania, the feelings of helplessness over the Stupak/Pitts Amendment began to dissipate. After weeks of frustration from the votes of our region’s congressmen, I felt an incredible responsibility to answer President Nancy Ratzan’s call to action.

Signs to Pennsylvania turnpike exits gave way to Pennsylvania Avenue, and as I made my way from the parking lot at DC’s Union Station, I clutched the envelope that would be my guide for the day — letters to congressmen and senators, my list of appointments and a map, as well as cell phone numbers of coalition partners and Philadelphia NCJW members. I quickly found my way to Dirksen Senate Office Building, the hub for what was being called the Stupak Day of Action. Registration tables and buttons adorned the hallway and soon the friendly faces of our NCJW legislative associates and Director of Washington Operations Sammie Moshenberg made me feel at ease. I was ready to get to work.

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