Rhode Island’s National Council of Jewish Women at a crossroads

The National Council of Jewish Women, a nationwide organization with a proud history of social action, advocacy, volunteerism and philanthropy, is at a crossroads in Rhode Island.

On Dec. 11, the leadership of the Rhode Island Section mailed a letter to the membership asking them to vote on whether or not to end the group’s 106 years of advocacy for women, children and families in Rhode Island.

The letter reads, in part, “…we are saddened to inform you that at this time we do not have members who are willing to assume the responsibility of leading this Rhode Island Section. Therefore, with deep regret, the board has voted to disband the Rhode Island Section.”

Nan Levine and Ellie Elbaum, co-presidents since 2008, say they can no longer lead the group.

Elbaum and Levine say they want the community to know they are not happy about this outcome. Both women have been active members of NCJW for many, many years, serving in numerous capacities. “It was a tough call,” says Levine. “I’m very sad. I love this organization.”

So the membership faces a decision.

Members are being asked to vote to disband or vote to remain open and assume leadership positions; and also volunteer to support the State Policy Advocate (SPA) .

The SPA office, so critical to the mission of the organization, will remain in place. Maxine Richman, current SPA, says she is happy to continue to advocate for many of the progressive issues important to NCJW that affect women, children and families with guidance from the organization’s Washington office that coordinates other SPAs around the United States. Each local unit has at least one state policy advocate.

“This is a critical time [for the NCJW],” said Levine. “We are a known product at the State House, in D.C. and in Israel. But we’re not asking for an opinion. The only way for this section to remain viable is if some people step forward. We know this is the right thing to do.” And the national leadership has supported the local leadership in this decision.

According to Levine, if several people want to take over the leadership and continue the heritage, she and Elbaum would be happy to teach them the ropes. Leadership of the local NCJW section takes stamina and interest, she says. Some of the many tasks facing the leadership would include advocacy, program planning, follow-up calls to action, communication, support and education. A little fundraising doesn’t hurt either.

Like many members, Levine has a deep affection for NCJW, which she first joined as a young person in New York. “I started as a teenager in Councilettes.” Councilettes offered teens an opportunity for community service. No longer in existence in Rhode Island, at one time there were more than 100 Councilettes here who went on to enjoy adult membership in NCJW. At one time, Levine was the adult adviser to the Councilettes here.

But everyone agrees that it’s a different time now. And organizations have to change with the times. Jobs and families place different demands on women who may no longer have time to attend meetings. Other groups and organizations face the same challenges.

Rhode Island is not the first NCJW section to close. The Boston section closed 10 years ago. In fact, only New Bedford continues to have a viable section in the area.

NCJW has about 250 annual and life members in Rhode Island. Should the membership agree to dissolve the Rhode Island unit, current members would become national members. Funds attached to the Rhode Island group, including an endowment, would transfer to the national organization.

The leadership is passionate about the ongoing importance of NCJW’s role nationally and in Rhode Island.

NCJW has been active in Rhode Island advocating for women, children and families on issues such as human trafficking as well as domestic violence, teen dating and bullying. In recent years, they’ve run community programming on all these issues.

Both Elbaum and Levine call domestic violence and human trafficking the “hot button” issues right now.

“There is a great deal to be done on human trafficking,” said Elbaum. “This is a critical time.”

According to Richman, it is critical to retain the SPA office because “It is important that the SPA’s voice be heard on behalf of NCJW here in R.I. … on issues important to women and children and families especially as a voice … with our elected officials and with our state officials and certainly as a voice to speak with our national officials on national issues.”

She’s hoping that the next generation of advocates will step up to help out with the SPA function.

The membership votes are due by Dec. 20.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of The Jewish Voice.