CELEBRATING INSTALLATION 2020 VIA ZOOM

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National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section went virtual for its installation celebration for the first time in 97 years when it installed and honored its new officers on June 23, 2020.

Ruth Seitelman, outgoing Co-President, hosted the stunning event and welcomed over 130 members to our installation celebration. The program opened with a virtual flip page Journal, titled Together We Make a Difference, our theme for the year, accompanied by Beatles background music, “Here Comes The Sun.”  Ms. Seitelman introduced Cantor Nitza Amit Shamah of Temple Sinai who gave the invocation – a heartfelt and inspiring prayer.  She was followed by NCJW life member, NJ Senator Loretta Weinberg, who offered congratulations to the entire executive team and award recipients.

Subsequently, we were afforded an opportunity to view the 2019 National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Washington Institute film which highlighted the vast scope of issues undertaken by advocacy and showed how change can happen when we turn passion into action. Ms. Seitelman then introduced NCJW life member, NJ Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, who recently introduced legislation to protect the most vulnerable in long-term care facilities. She reflected on the significance of NCJW Bergen County Section’s advocacy and community service efforts vis a vis the most vulnerable in the county.

The installation of Co-Presidents and the executive officers was conducted by Honorary Vice President, Marcia Levy. Co-Presidents Elizabeth Halverstam and Bari-Lynne Schwartz and newly-elected Co-President Elaine K. Meyerson each bring to the organization a wide variety of experience in the non-profit world. Elaine K. Meyerson, a NCJW Hannah G. Solomon awardee, is an experienced non-profit leader and administrator who worked in the domestic violence field for 30 years. She currently serves as President of the Hillside Board of Health.

Bari-Lynne Schwartz served as Administrator of the Human Services Advisory Council for 20 years, as well as the Bergen County Commission on the Status of Women. She became a champion for social justice and advocated and testified for policy and legislative reforms and is the first recipient of the NCJW BCS Jane Abraham Advocacy Award.  Ms. Schwartz is serving her second term as Co-President.

Elizabeth Halverstam was formerly the Executive Director of Arts Horizons, a major arts education organization, where she managed every aspect of running a non-profit organization. In 2016 she was presented with the NCJW Emerging Leader Award and is currently serving her fourth term as Co-President.  Bea Podorefsky was introduced as Honorary President, serving her second year of a 5-year term, and Ruth Seitelman was introduced as the Honorary Vice President. The remaining members of the  executive team included Carole Benson, VP Administration; Joan Cooper and Ginny Wasserman, Co-VPs Advocacy/Education; Lois Katz Brown and Linda Walden, Co-VPs Community Services; Marilynn Friedman and Joan Schnuer, Co-VPs Membership; Joan Ornstein, VP Fundraising; Fran Einiger and Doris Sarokin, Co-VPs Thrift Shop; Liz Roditi, Treasurer; and Norma Goldsmith, Recording Secretary.

Elaine K. Meyerson who spoke on behalf of the Presidents explicated the mission and future vision of NCJW BCS.  She ended by stating, “We have an obligation to raise our voice on the issue of Racial Injustice. We have to lead, and join with others, so together we can create a more peaceful and loving world for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.”  

Following Ms. Meyerson, Fran Butensky, Awards Chair, introduced the Woman of the Section Awardee, Henrietta Wolfeiler. Ms. Wolfeiler has been an active member and leader for sixty (60) years.  She is currently the Volunteer Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Courthouse Waiting Room and has also established the Wolfeiler-Simon fund to support scholarships, domestic violence victims and hunger programs.

Ms. Seitelman closed the meeting and encouraged participants to join a lunch chat in Zoom breakout rooms.

Virtual Journal: https://fliphtml5.com/pykli/lori

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