2026-03-17 01:59:AM <br/> Tags: #AmericanJewry #organization #Lobby ![[image-253.png|545x207]] # National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) - The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is an American pro-Israel feminist Jewish nonprofit founded in 1893.[^1] - The NCJW calls itself "the oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel."[^19] - The NCJW is involved in left wing political advocacy and organizing. - Since 2018, the NCJW has been based in Washington D.C. - Before 2018, the NCJW was based in New York City. - The NCJW has ~250,000 members and 49 active local sections.[^20] #### Early History - The NCJW was founded by Hannah G. Solomon in 1893. - As described in the *Jewish Women's Archive*, in its early years, "NCJW concentrated on combating assimilation by educating Jewish women about Judaism."[^6] #RedPill *The NCJW was among the most active civil rights era organizations working to desegregate and inter-racialize the country. The NCJW currently fights to open our borders to non-white immigrants. All the while, the NCJW promotes Jewish insularity and "[preserving the ethnicity](https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/national-council-of-jewish-women#pid-17673:~:text=preserve%20their%20ethnicity)" of Jews. The NCJW would likely invoke Hitler if I proclaim my own wish to "preserve my ethnicity."* - The NCJW focused on promotion of Jewish motherhood as the pinnacle of a Jewish woman's purpose.[^6] - This approach largely affirmed traditional women's roles *for Jews.* - The NCJW used its early influence to gain a voice in synagogue and Jewish institutional matters.[^6] - The NCJW was hesitant to take a position on Zionism for its first ~50 years. - After WWII, the organization embraced Zionism and opened its department of Israel affairs. #### Political Action - The NCJW's early social advocacy was described by its former CEO Nancy Kaufman (2011-2019): "NCJW women were actively engaged in the women’s suffrage movement and at the forefront of the campaign that resulted in the passage of the 19th amendment almost 100 years ago. Similarly, NCJW was at the forefront of the civil rights and civil liberties movements... In the 1960s, NCJW forged a partnership with the National Council of Negro Women to develop Wednesdays in Mississippi."[^2] - Around the turn of the 20th century, the NCJW was active on Ellis Island facilitating Eastern European Jewish immigrants.[^2] - In the 1920s, the NCJW began opened 10 of the earliest birth control centers in the United States.[^1] - These centers later became Planned Parenthood clinics. - Since 1948, the NCJW has been a member of the United Nations' Conference on NGOs (CoNGO).[^8] - Other CoNGO members [include](https://ngocongo.org/member-organizations/): [[B'nai B'rith]], International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, [[World Jewish Congress]], and [[Jewish Women International]]. - In November 2017, the NCJW sent an open letter to members of congress urging them to pass the Dream Act, which would amnesty 800,000+ illegal immigrants who arrived as children.[^14] - The letter states: "The nearly 800,000 children brought to the US as children are now as American as anyone born here." - The letter goes on: "President Trump’s cruel decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, pulled the rug out from young people who trusted their government. Every day, Dreamers wake up knowing that in just a few months, they could be separated from their parents, children, and communities." *Their government? Their communities?* - The letter concludes by citing Jewish values and the Biblical experience of Jews in Egypt to urge for the Dream Act to be passed. - In June 2018, the NCJW published a press release titled, "Our Jewish Values do NOT Support Family Separation."[^3] - The release followed incessant media coverage of Donald Trump's "family separation" immigration enforcement policy. *This is the same time period of "kids in cages."* - The release states "NCJW will continue to be guided by our Jewish values in our support for Dreamers, children, asylum seekers, LGBTQ immigrants, and all those for whom our nation should be a beacon of hope." - Wednesdays in Mississippi was a racial justice civil rights initiative conceived of by Dorothy Height and Polly Speigel Cowan, a black and Jewish woman respectively.[^5] - In 2026 the NCJW is lobbying to cut funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[^21] - NCJW is hyper-supportive of abortion. - NCJW strongly advocated for and supported the ruling in *Roe v. Wade*. - NCJW has strongly supported Planned Parenthood since the 1960s.[^9] - In 2020, the NCJW published the "Abortion and Jewish Values Toolkit."[^9] - The toolkit, which is a 53-page flipbook, open with the words "Judaism permits abortion. Full stop." - The toolkit continues, "Since our founding in 1893, the National Council of Jewish Women has fought for all people to have access to abortion."[^12] - Pages 16-17 of the toolkit explicitly cite Jewish law, as dictated in the Torah and the Talmud, to defend abortion.[^13] - The NCJW states: - "Life does not begin at conception under Jewish Law." - "Various Jewish sources explicitly state that abortion is not only permitted but is required should the pregnancy endanger the life or health of the pregnant individual. Furthermore, "health" is interpreted by many rabbis to encompass psychological health as well as physical health." *Here we have a classic rabbinical Jewish justification. Obviously "psychological health" is entirely subjective and allows Jews to cite Jewish law in support of fully elective abortion. The Jewish religion is a web of rabbinical justifications and wordplay.* - "Does Jewish law assert that it is possible to murder a fetus? No, Jewish law does not consider a fetus to have the status of personhood." *But what about our Judeo-Christian values?* - The NCJW places major emphasis on opposing right wing judicial nominees.[^9] - In 2001 the NCJW partnered with Tel Aviv University to establish the Women and Gender Studies Program.[^10] - The NCJW is a member of the [[Conference of Presidents]].[^11] - The NCJW lobbies in favor of transsexual children.[^23] - The NCJW [cites](https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/tell-the-senate-dont-discriminate-against-women-and-girls-in-sports/#:~:text=Girls%20in%20Sports-,Jewish%20text,-teaches%20us%20that) Jewish text to support transsexuals playing in women's sports. - Generally the NCJW is very pro-LGBTQ.[^24] - In its 2023-2024 annual report, the NCJW states "Together with the [[Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)]] and the [[Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)]], NCJW is co-leading an unprecedented, broad coalition of 61 national Jewish organizations in urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Countering Antisemitism Act."[^25] - The Countering Antisemitism Act, which was introduced by Jewish Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in April of 2024, cites the [[ADL]] and the [[American Jewish Committee (AJC)|AJC]]'s antisemitic incidents reports to bolster the claim of rising antisemitism.[^26] - Section three of the legislation's text [states](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4091/text#:~:text=should%20be%20utilized%20by%20Federal%2C%20State%2C%20and%20local%20agencies.) that the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)]]'s working definition of antisemitism "should be utilized by Federal, State, and local agencies." - The Act demands the creation of a "National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism (NCCA)," a position which would be appointed by the president. - The NCCA would, in part, [produce reports](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4091/text#:~:text=ONLINE%20ANTISEMITISM%2C%20HOLOCAUST%20DENIAL%2C%20AND%20DISTORTION.) on online antisemitism, holocaust denial, and holocaust distortion. - The Act would empower the [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)]] to conduct a study on holocaust education efforts in "States, local educational agencies, and public elementary schools and secondary schools." *As determined by legislation introduced by a Jew and lobbied for by Jewish organizations, the state backed holocaust institution will be auditing your child's elementary school to determine sufficient holocaust education is being delivered.* - The Act would [increase support](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4091/text#:~:text=NONPROFIT%20SECURITY%20GRANT%20PROGRAM.) for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). - The NSGP is the mechanism that funds the [[Secure Community Network (SCN)]]. - The NSGP was formed in the early 200s after significant lobbying by the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]] and the [[Conference of Presidents]].[^27][^28] #### Funding and Donors - The NCJW has consistent revenues of ~$4-7 million.[^22] - In 2024, the organization reported $6.84 million in revenue. - Many of the NCJW's 49 local sections report their own substantial revenue. - The Los Angeles section reported $14.1 million in revenue in 2024. - The New York section reported $2.63 million in revenue in 2025. - In the late 2010s, [[George Soros]]'s [[Open Society Foundations]] began funding the NCJW to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.[^18] - Donors include:[^29]*The donors listed below usually contribute every year.* - [[Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation]] - $500,000+ in 2024 - [[Sheryl Sandberg]] - $250,000+ in 2024 - [[Harry Weinberg]]'s foundation - $50,000+ in 2024 - [[Charles Bronfman]] - $1,600 in 2016[^30] - Planned Parenthood - $5,000+ in 2024 - [[Morton Mandel]] - $100,000+ in 2011[^31] #### Notable Figures - Hannah G. Solomon - Founder - Barbara Mandel - Past NCJW president.[^15] - Barbara Mandel's husband was [[Morton Mandel]]. - Nancy Kaufman - CEO from 2011-2019[^4] *Kaufman was NCJW's first professional CEO.* - Worked for Boston's [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)|Jewish Federation]]. - Graduated from [[Brandeis University]]. - Kaufman was "one of six founding members of the [[Jewish Social Justice Roundtable]]-JSJRT (along with [[American Jewish World Service]], [[Bend the Arc]], the [[Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)]], [[Avodah]], and Progressive Jewish Alliance)."[^2] *The Progressive Jewish Alliance was merged to form [[Bend the Arc]] in 2011.* - Belle Moskowitz - Jewish political operative in the early 1900s and member of the NCJW.[^6] - Moskowitz was married to Henry Moskowitz, a co-founder of the [[NAACP]].[^7] - Sheila Katz - CEO 2020-2026 - Now working as the chief Jewish life officer at the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]].[^16] - Former [[Hillel International]] vice president of student engagement. - Jody Rabhan - CEO since 2026 - Rabhan is a member of the [[Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation]]'s Schusterman Fellowship leadership development program, which is an intensive program to groom candidates to lead Jewish organizations.[^17] #### References [^1]: “National Council of Jewish Women,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Jewish_Women](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Jewish_Women). [^2]: Nancy K. Kaufman, “A Legacy Organization Can Transition: NCJW, A Case in Point,” _eJewishPhilanthropy_, August 22, 2019, [https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/a-legacy-organization-can-transition-ncjw-a-case-in-point/](https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/a-legacy-organization-can-transition-ncjw-a-case-in-point/). [^3]: “Our Jewish Values Do NOT Support Family Separation,” _National Council of Jewish Women_, June 15, 2018, [https://www.ncjw.org/news/our-jewish-values-do-not-support-family-separation/](https://www.ncjw.org/news/our-jewish-values-do-not-support-family-separation/). [^4]: Judith Rosenbaum, interview with Nancy Kaufman, July 14, 2023, _Jewish Women’s Archive_, [https://jwa.org/oralhistories/kaufman-nancy](https://jwa.org/oralhistories/kaufman-nancy). [^5]: “Wednesdays in Mississippi,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wednesdays_in_Mississippi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wednesdays_in_Mississippi). [^6]: Faith Rogow, “National Council of Jewish Women,” _Jewish Women’s Archive_, [https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/national-council-of-jewish-women](https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/national-council-of-jewish-women). [^7]: “Henry Moskowitz (activist),” Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Moskowitz_(activist)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Moskowitz_\(activist\)). [^8]: Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, “Member Organizations,” [https://ngocongo.org/member-organizations/#:~:text=National%20Council%20of%20Jewish%20Women](https://ngocongo.org/member-organizations/#:~:text=National%20Council%20of%20Jewish%20Women). [^9]: Capital Research Center, “National Council of Jewish Women,” _InfluenceWatch_, [https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/national-council-of-jewish-women/](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/national-council-of-jewish-women/). [^10]: National Council of Jewish Women, “NCJW Women & Gender Studies Program,” [https://www.ncjw.org/act/action-resources/ncjw-women-gender-studies-program/](https://www.ncjw.org/act/action-resources/ncjw-women-gender-studies-program/). [^11]: Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. _“Member Organizations.”_ [https://conferenceofpresidents.org/member-organizations/](https://conferenceofpresidents.org/member-organizations/). [^12]: National Council of Jewish Women, _Abortion and Jewish Values Toolkit_ (2020), 2, [https://heyzine.com/flip-book/39bd7b7ff3.html#page/2](https://heyzine.com/flip-book/39bd7b7ff3.html#page/2). [^13]: National Council of Jewish Women, _Abortion and Jewish Values Toolkit_ (2020), 17, [https://heyzine.com/flip-book/39bd7b7ff3.html#page/17](https://heyzine.com/flip-book/39bd7b7ff3.html#page/17). [^14]: National Council of Jewish Women, “Dreamer Faith Week of Action Letter to Hill” (November 1, 2017), PDF, [https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DreamerFaithWeekofAction_LettertoHill_11-01-2017_final.pdf](https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DreamerFaithWeekofAction_LettertoHill_11-01-2017_final.pdf). [^15]: “Remembering Barbara A. Mandel,” _Jewish Federation of Cleveland_, November 25, 2019, https://www.jewishcleveland.org/news/blog/remembering_barbara_a_mandel/#:~:text=Hall%20of%20Fame%2C-,Barbara%20Mandel,-was%20president%20of. [^16]: Jewish Federations of North America, “Jewish Federations Welcome Sheila Katz as Chief Jewish Life Officer,” October 21, 2025, [https://www.jewishfederations.org/blog/all/jewish-federations-welcome-sheila-katz-as-chief-jewish-life-officer-503172](https://www.jewishfederations.org/blog/all/jewish-federations-welcome-sheila-katz-as-chief-jewish-life-officer-503172). [^17]: National Council of Jewish Women, “Jody Rabhan,” [https://www.ncjw.org/jody-rabhan/](https://www.ncjw.org/jody-rabhan/). [^18]: Debra Nussbaum, “She Took on a Powerful Male Donor. Now She’ll Be Leading a Top Jewish Feminist Organization,” _Inside Philanthropy_, March 29, 2019, Internet Archive, [https://web.archive.org/web/20250504044847/https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2019-3-29-she-took-on-a-powerful-male-donor-now-shell-be-leading-a-top-jewish-feminist-organization](https://web.archive.org/web/20250504044847/https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2019-3-29-she-took-on-a-powerful-male-donor-now-shell-be-leading-a-top-jewish-feminist-organization). [^19]: National Council of Jewish Women, “About,” [https://www.ncjw.org/about/](https://www.ncjw.org/about/). [^20]: National Council of Jewish Women, “Home,” [https://www.ncjw.org/](https://www.ncjw.org/). [^21]: National Council of Jewish Women, “No More Funding ICE Violence,” [https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/no-more-funding-ice-violence/](https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/no-more-funding-ice-violence/). [^22]: ProPublica, “Nonprofit Explorer: National Council of Jewish Women,” [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/search?q=National+Council+of+Jewish+Women](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/search?q=National+Council+of+Jewish+Women). [^23]: National Council of Jewish Women, “Tell the Senate: Don’t Discriminate Against Women and Girls in Sports,” [https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/tell-the-senate-dont-discriminate-against-women-and-girls-in-sports/](https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/tell-the-senate-dont-discriminate-against-women-and-girls-in-sports/). [^24]: National Council of Jewish Women, “Enshrine LGBTQ+ Equality: Pass the Equality Act!” [https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/enshrine-lgbtq-equality-pass-the-equality-act/](https://www.ncjw.org/act/action/enshrine-lgbtq-equality-pass-the-equality-act/). [^25]: National Council of Jewish Women, _Annual Report 2023–2024_, 6, [https://heyzine.com/flip-book/b71cc86305.html#page/6](https://heyzine.com/flip-book/b71cc86305.html#page/6). [^26]: United States Congress, “S.4091 – Countering Antisemitism Act, 118th Congress (2023–2024),” [https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4091/text](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4091/text). [^27]: “Nonprofit Security Grant Program,” Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonprofit_Security_Grant_Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonprofit_Security_Grant_Program). [^28]: “Secure Community Network,” Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Community_Network#Nonprofit_Security_Grant_Program_(NSGP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Community_Network#Nonprofit_Security_Grant_Program_\(NSGP\)). [^29]: National Council of Jewish Women, _Annual Report 2023–2024_, 14-17, [https://heyzine.com/flip-book/b71cc86305.html#page/14](https://heyzine.com/flip-book/b71cc86305.html#page/14). [^30]: “Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies Inc., Form 990-PF (2016),” _ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer_, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133984936/201703189349102895/full](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133984936/201703189349102895/full). [^31]: National Council of Jewish Women, _Annual Report 2010–2011_, 18, [https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NCJWAnnualReport2011101.pdf](https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NCJWAnnualReport2011101.pdf).