Emerging Leaders 2014

ILENE WECHTER

I was born in NYC and raised in Great Neck, Long Island. I attended the University of Michigan and then taught junior high school-level history in Detroit for three years.

Returning to New York City, I worked briefly in television production before joining Revlon Cosmetics as a product researcher. I subsequently advanced to Product Manager, responsible for supervising the development of facial treatment, lipsticks and fragrances for many Revlon brands, serving that company for over 16 years. I also worked as consultant to numerous private label fragrance and treatment companies in New York and New Jersey.

Though a fairly recent NCJW member, I am a committed participant in our activities. I am co-Vice President of our Thrift Shop, participate weekly in the Swim-In program for people with MS, and am one of the section’s official photographers.

Other outside activities include reading weekly to pre-kindergarten children and the elderly at Bergen Family Center and weekly visits with my support dog, Ginger, to people in assisted living facilities.

An active congregant at Temple Sinai of Bergen County, I am co-president of Renaissance group; a member of the Temple Board; and a ready volunteer at virtually every Temple social event. I also work two days a week at a local company.

I am married to Arnold Wechter, a retired advertising and marketing executive and have two sons, Andrew and Lawrence, a stepdaughter, Jodi, and three grandchildren.

PHYLLIS BETANCOURT

I was born a Brooklyn girl, living with my parents and brother. We moved only once, to a special development for the handicapped because my mother had MS. I attended Hunter College, majoring in Art History, and then moved to the “Big Apple” where I lived with three roommates in a large furnished apartment. A year after I was married, we moved to Hackensack with our 18-month-old son, Brian.

Since being an artist did not pay the bills, I worked for law firms, first as a secretary and then as Assistant to the Human Resources Director. After the company went out of business, I worked for a girl’s yeshiva, a job I loved. When the school closed due to low enrollment, I considered myself “forcibly retired.”

I found myself without many daily challenges. A friend invited me to a NCJW general meeting where within an instant, I met amazing women and discussed their committees’ activities. I still consider myself the “baby” or our organization since I’ve been an NCJW for only three years. In that time, I have been the Section’s Corresponding Secretary and now Administration VP. I attended the Leaders Retreat in 2012, which helped me learning the workings of NCJW and honed my leadership skills.

In 2013 I attended Washington Institute, learning about successful programs around the country. As I became educated about the issue of human trafficking I recognized the importance of the advocacy component of NCJW.

I volunteer at the Waiting Room at the Bergen County Courthouse where
domestic violence plaintiffs await their call to court and at the Children’s Court Care Center, where children play while their parents are in court. It’s rare for the children to be upset when their parents leave them there, since the atmosphere is that of a lovely nursery/kindergarten.

I believe I have “grown” a great deal at NCJW, thanks to the many enthusiastic and knowledgeable members who have gently guided me through the organization.