As an organization on the forefront of social change for 120 years, one of the keys to NCJW’s success is strong and strategic leadership. NCJW is governed by a Board of Directors which sets the policy and direction of the organization, contributes to the achievement of programmatic goals, and fulfills a variety of fiduciary responsibilities. NCJW is a also leader among leaders, serving as an active member of several prestigious alliances and councils.

Learn more about NCJW’s accomplished Board of Directors and various affiliation relationships.

Linda Slucker
President

A passionate advocate on behalf of child welfare, women’s rights, and reproductive freedom, Linda Slucker is president 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.

Slucker’s leadership activities are extensive. Before being elected NCJW president in March 2011, Slucker served on the Board of Directors for twelve years including three years as assistant treasurer and three years as vice president. She has been actively involved in NCJW’s development work since her board tenure began in 1999, 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, serving as vice chair of Washington Institute in 2004, co-chairing the Israel Benefit Luncheon in 2006, and providing training at NCJW meetings and events nationwide.

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. She and her husband, Rudy, live in West Orange, NJ.

Nancy K. Kaufman
Chief Executive Officer

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 and its agencies. 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.

NCJW Board of Directors

Officers 

Linda Slucker
President

Gail S. Ball
Vice President

Joni Cohan
Vice President 

Carole Levine
Vice President

Debbie Hoffmann
Treasurer

Janet Solitt
Assistant Treasurer 

Andrea Schuver
Recording Secretary 

Board Directors 

Nancy Ratzan (Immediate Past President)
Robin Frank
Meryl Diamond Gindin
Dianne Goldin
Donna Gutman
Ellen Jacobs
Beatrice Kahn
Lori Koffman
Michelle Kosmin
Robin Leeds
Susan C. Levine
Sharon Lipton
Julie Lowenberg
Beth Mitchell
Janet Neuenschwander
Judy Rosenberg
Rose Singer
Leslie Sternlieb
Christine Stone
Jill Tavlin Swartz
Sue Tilis
Mindy Wexler
Cindy Wolfson

NCJW–United Nations Representatives 

Barbara Zuckerberg
Primary Representative

Marge Weiser 
Alternate Representative

NCJW–USA/ICJW Representative 

Sharon Gustafson
President, International Council of Jewish Women 

Kathy Altman
Vice President, USA & NCJW-USA Representative to ICJW