Who We Are
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC), the first Jewish Women’s organization in Canada, is a volunteer organization that has been a catalyst for change since 1897, fighting to ensure the rights of women, children, and families, the disabled and new Canadians through service, education and social action.
NCJWC’s pioneering spirit continues to this day as it identifies the needs of women of diverse backgrounds and abilities and ensures that they have a voice by developing innovative programs to identify those needs. All who come to NCJWC share a belief that progressive ideals put into action can improve our community, our country and the world.
NCJWC is a place to nurture those ideals and put them into action. We are a unique bridge between the haves and have nots, between Jewish and secular cultures, between Canadian, Israeli and international initiatives. In our name you will find a proud history of more than a century of action and advocacy, of struggle and success in advancing social justice and human welfare. NCJWC stands alone in the “bridge” capacity. Since 1897, we have provided a forum for advocacy: our Canadian Jewish women speak and work for civil rights, women’s and children’s rights, public health, day care, education and programming for the elderly. The work of these Canadian women, these Council women have made a profound difference for people of diverse ages, races and religious backgrounds.
NCJWC is a member of International Council of Jewish Women (icjw.org). We advocate freedom, rights and betterment of women throughout the world through our work with non-governmental organizations at the United Nations. In Israel, we lobby on behalf of those women who are kept captive by unfair divorce laws (Agunot).
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Presidents
Linda Steinberg, Toronto, ON
National President – president@ncjwc.org
Debbie Wasserman, Toronto, ON
Immediate Past President
Helen Marr, Toronto, ON
Honourary President
Vice Presidents
Eva Karpati, Toronto, ON
Vice President
Naomi Kingston, Toronto, ON
Vice President, Communications
Monika Simon, Montreal, Que
Vice President
Other Board Members
Bianca Krimberg, Calgary, AB
Treasurer
Rebecca Asbell, Edmonton, AB
Secretary
Marjorie Blankstein, CM, Winnipeg, MB
National Advisory Committee
Roz Fine, Toronto, ON
National Advisory Committee
Helen Marr, Toronto, ON
National Advisory Committee
Dorothy Reitman, OM, Montreal, PQ
National Advisory Committee
Sharon Allentuck, Winnipeg, MB
National Advisory Committee
Section Presidents
Jordana Corenblum, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Section, President
Jodi Zabludowski, Edmonton, AB
Edmonton Section, President
Sharon Graham, Winnipeg, MB
Winnipeg Section, President
Sheila Neuburger, Toronto, ON
Toronto Section, President
Helen Silverstein, Simcoe County, ON
Simcoe County Section, President
Projects and Committee Chairs
Glenda Cooper, Toronto, ON
ALUMA
Monika Simon, Toronto, ON
Antisemitism
Bianca Krimberg, Calgary, AB
Child Poverty
TBA
Endowment
– Irene Samuel Leadership Initiative
Dr. Cheryl Rockman Greenberg, advisor, Winnipeg, MB
Jewish Genetic Awareness
Ena Cord, Toronto, ON
Human Trafficking
Eva Karpati, Toronto, ON
Debbie Wasserman, Toronto, ON
Women 2 Women Countering Racism (W2W)
AFFILIATIONS
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
The International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) was founded in Rome, Italy in 1912 but because of interruptions of two world wars, it functioned only intermittently until after the Second World War. It was revived at a meeting held in Paris, France in 1949. Canada was represented at this historic meeting. Since then, two Canadians have held the position of President of the ICJW. Today, ICJW represents 43 affiliate Jewish women’s organizations in five continents.
For more information about the International Council of Jewish Women go to www.icjw.org
Coalition of jewish women against domestic violence and the coalition for agunot rights
Through its affiliation with the International Council of Jewish Women, NCJWC is member of the Coalition of Jewish Women against Domestic Violence and the Coalition for Agunot Rights.
Unesco sub commission on the status of women
Through its affiliation with the International Council of Jewish Women, NCJWC is a member of the UNESCO Sub commission on the status of women.