NCJW Elects New President

The Essex County Section of the National Council of Jewish Women has elected Jill Sorkin Johnson as President.  The Essex County Section – which has 3,000 members and is the largest NCJW section in the United States – is located in Livingston.

"The task ahead of me is very large and at the moment quite daunting.  But the NCJW mission – to help improve the lives of women, children, and families -- is so strong and so powerful, and I know that so many women will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of this mission, I am confident that together we will accomplish great things," Sorkin Johnson said in a press release.

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates. 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. 

The Essex County Section sponsors such community service programs as the annual Back 2 School Store® -- where hundreds of economically disadvantaged children are treated to a "shopping" spree, courtesy of NCJW – and the NCJW Linda and Rudy Slucker Center for Women, which provides peer support, job training, and assistance for women who unexpectedly find themselves in the workforce after a sudden change in life circumstances. 

The Center for Women also runs Rainbows, a grief counseling program for children, and the Teen Dating Abuse program, which teaches high school students about healthy versus abusive dating relationships.  In addition, NCJW holds many other programming events, such as the Wonder of Women Film Festival, trips, book clubs, and luncheons discussing crucial social issues.

"I learned from my parents, who were public school educators and active synagogue members, the importance of social service, Jewish values, and volunteerism.  The concept of tikkun olam – repairing the world – was instilled in me from a young age," said Sorkin Johnson.

She holds a Bachelor's degree from Union College and an MBA from Columbia University.  Her professional experience includes positions in finance and human resources with the General Electric Company, several compensation consulting firms, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

One of Sorkin Johnson's priorities for her term is to reach out to areas of Essex County that are not as well represented in the membership and to introduce potential members to the mission and great works of the organization. For more information about NCJW, Essex County Section, visit www.ncjwessex.org