National Council of Jewish Women

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), headquartered in New York City with an office in Israel, is an organization that describes itself as a "volunteer organization that has been at the forefront of social change for over a century. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW courageously takes a progressive stance on issues such as child welfare, women's rights, and reproductive freedom."

Principles
Stated principles include:
 * "Individual liberties and rights guaranteed by the Constitution are keystones of a free and pluralistic society and must be protected and preserved."
 * "Religious liberty and the separation of religion and state are constitutional principles that must be protected and preserved in order to maintain our democratic society."
 * "Human rights and dignity are fundamental and must be guaranteed to all individuals."
 * "All individuals have the right to live in a world at peace and free from terrorism."
 * "A democratic society and its people must value diversity and promote mutual understanding and respect for all."
 * "The continuity of the Jewish people must be assured from generation to generation through Jewish education, culture, values, and respect among all streams of Judaism."
 * "The survival and security of the State of Israel and the establishment of a just and permanent peace are central to the Jewish people and vital to the interests of the United States."
 * "The protection and preservation of the environment are vital to a sustainable future."

Affiliations
Accessed December 2010:
 * Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
 * International Council of Jewish Women
 * Jewish Council for Public Affairs
 * Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
 * Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

The front group Women of the Storm lists NCJW as a partner.

Coalition partners
Accessed October 2007: "NCJW collaborates closely with other leading national organizations to strategize and mobilize on issues of importance to its membership. These organizations and coalitions are similarly dedicated to advancing individual and civil rights, the separation of religion and state, reproductive rights, the well-being of women, children, and families, and support of the State of Israel.

Individual and civil rights
 * American Civil Liberties Union
 * Anti-Defamation League
 * Human Rights Campaign
 * Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
 * People for the American Way
 * Separation of Religion and State
 * Americans United for Separation of Church and State
 * Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
 * Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs

Reproductive rights
 * NARAL Pro-Choice America
 * National Abortion Federation
 * National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association
 * Planned Parenthood Federation of America
 * Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
 * Well-being of Women, Children, and Families
 * American Association of University Women
 * Child Welfare League of America
 * Children's Defense Fund
 * Coalition on Human Needs
 * Legal Momentum (formerly the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund)
 * National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
 * National Council of Women's Organizations
 * National Domestic Violence Hotline
 * National Network to End Domestic Violence
 * National Organization for Women
 * National Partnership for Women and Families
 * National Women's Law Center

Israel
 * One Voice

Work in the U.S.
Work includes:
 * NCJW's Judicial Nominations Campaign which "educates and mobilizes NCJW members, the Jewish community, and friends and allies everywhere to promote a federal bench with judges who support fundamental constitutional freedoms, including a woman's right to reproductive choice."
 * NCJW's Promote the Vote, Protect the Vote initiative which is designed to secure and safeguard voting rights and encourage voting.
 * NCJW's Domestic Violence Campaign which works to end domestic violence by improving the economic status of women.

Personnel
Accessed December 2010:
 * Nancy Ratzan, President
 * Anne London, Vice President
 * Marge Weiser, Vice President


 * Nancy K. Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer (As of January 2011)
 * Shari Eshet, Director of the Israel Office

Board includes:
 * Helen Astmann
 * Joni Cohan
 * Nancy Eskow
 * Ricki Gardner
 * Meryl Diamond Gindin
 * Joanie Glickstein
 * Donna Gutman
 * Marlene Hammerman
 * Debbie Hoffmann

Contact
New York Headquarters 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1901 New York, NY 10115 Tel: 212-645-4048 Fax: 212-645-7466 Email: action AT ncjw.org Web: http://www.ncjw.org

Has offices in Washington, DC and Jerusalem, Israel.

Related Sourcewatch

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 * John G. Roberts, Jr.
 * Karen Mahlab
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