Frequently Asked Questions about NCJW
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What is the National Council of Jewish Women?
We are 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. NCJW comprises a national network of more than 100 local affiliations - we call them Sections - across the country that collectively have nearly 90,000 members, supporters, and advocates. Our national headquarters, NCJW, Inc., is located in New York. We also have a Washington, D.C. office and a Jerusalem office.
When did NCJW start?
NCJW took root in 1893, when Hannah G. Solomon, an active volunteer worker from Chicago, was asked to organize the participation of Jewish women in the Chicago World's Fair. When Hannah and her recruits discovered that "participation" meant pouring coffee and performing hostess duties, they walked out. Hannah took matters into her own hands, building on her years of volunteer leadership and the momentum of the women's walk-out. By the end of the World's Fair, Hannah had founded the National Council of Jewish Women, changing forever the role of Jewish women and the nature of volunteerism. The Essex County section took root in 1912, when 37 women chartered the Newark Section, which eventually grew into the 3,400-member Section we have today.
What does NCJW do?
We create and implement programs that help improve the lives of women, children, and families in Essex County. We also put on events and programs for our members and for the community. To find out what is happening currently, navigate over to these areas of our website: Community Services, Participate, Advocate, Center for Women, The Volunteer Network, Back 2 School Store.
How does NCJW differ from other Jewish organizations?
What is unique about NCJW is that we not only raise funds for our projects, we do our own projects. NCJW is an organization for community-minded people who not only want to provide financial support to make the world a better place, but who also want to volunteer—to be hands-on in implementing the work that needs to be done.
Are you connected with other Jewish organizations?
We are a distinct, independent organization, but we value our many collaborations and partnerships with other local Jewish organizations. We were a founding partner of the Rachel Coalition, a local domestic violence organization that provides services to domestic violence victims of all races, religions, and ethnicities. We cosponsor with JCC MetroWest Center for Adult Enrichment, Life Long Learning, a continuing education program for anyone age 55 and older. Other organizations and programs with whom we partner include Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest NJ, New Jersey Jewish Film Festival, United Jewish Communities of New Jersey, and Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ.
What are your office hours?
Our offices at 70 South Orange Avenue, Suite 120, Livingston, N.J. are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00. We close a little bit earlier on Fridays in the winter. We are closed on Federal holidays and Jewish holidays.
How do I become a member of NCJW?
You can call the office at 973.740.5880, email the office at ncjw@ncjwessex.org, or become a member right now by joining online. Choose the membership option that's right for you: life membership, three-year membership, or annual membership. You can also purchase a gift membership for someone else.
Do you have to be a Jewish woman to join?
No! Our members include women and men, Jewish and non-Jewish. What all of our members have in common is a desire to improve the lives of women, children, and families by turning progressive ideals into action AND a desire to meet and connect with other, like-minded people in the community.
How many members do you have?
NCJW, Essex County Section has more than 3,400 members, making us the largest of all the Sections in the United States.
What types of volunteer jobs are available?
Whether you want a one-time or an ongoing volunteer opportunity, NCJW can offer a meaningful experience that fits your interests and your schedule. Navigate to the Volunteer section of our website to see what opportunities are currently available.
Do I have to be a member to volunteer?
Most of the time you have to be a member of NCJW to volunteer for NCJW. But we do have volunteer opportunities within NCJW for nonmembers as well. And we can always help both members and nonmembers find a volunteer opportunity in the community through The NCJW Volunteer Network.
What is The Volunteer Network?
The Volunteer Network (TVN) is our community resource that matches hundreds of adults and teens every year with volunteer opportunities in local settings. Just go to The NCJW Volunteer Network site and plug in your criteria for the type of volunteer job you are seeking, click "search," and a list of opportunities that meet your criteria will appear!
What kind of services do you provide to help women, children, and families?
Through our Linda & Rudy NCJW Center for Women, we offer many types of programs and services for individuals who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. For example, we offer career planning and job placement assistance, computer classes, peer support groups, personal development and empowerment workshops, financial guidance, and workshops on a variety of topics of interest to women.
What is the Linda & Rudy Slucker NCJW Center for Women?
The Linda & Rudy Slucker NCJW Center for Women (CFW), where we provide free and low-cost services, such as a teen dating abuse prevention and awareness program in area high schools, support groups for women and children, a workshop/speaker series, computer classes, legal and financial counseling for women, and back-to-work assistance. In addition, as part of the statewide Displaced Homemaker Network, CFW provides back-to-work assistance - including resume and interview help, computer skills classes, and even an interview and work-appropriate wardrobe - for women who must re-enter the workforce suddenly or unexpectedly. Most of the women we serve are from Essex County, New Jersey, and the surrounding counties of Union and Morris. In many cases, we serve women from other parts of the state as well.
How do I get help from NCJW?
Call the Linda & Rudy NCJW Center for Women at 973.994.4994 and let us know what kind of services you are seeking.
Do you serve only Jewish women?
No! Our services are available free or at low cost to anyone.
Do you have to be a member to get services from NCJW?
Absolutely not! Our services are available free or at low cost to anyone.
NCJW Events
How do I find out about NCJW events?
The home page of our website lists all the events that are currently accepting registration. If you are interested in the programs of the Linda & Rudy NCJW Center for Women (CFW), you can view CFW's calendar for the latest offerings.
How do I register for an event or a program?
We offer two ways to register: Register online by following the "Register Now" link for the program you are interested in, or call the office at 973.740.0588.
Do I have to be a member to attend an event?
We have events for members and nonmembers. Our annual Wonder of Women film Festival is open to the public, as are our annual NCJW Golf Invitational and spring House Tour. Such events as our Opening Meeting and our monthly Politics & Pastry discussion group are open to NCJW members only.
How is NCJW funded?
Our operating funds are mostly self-generated through individual charitable donations and fees generated from our events. We also raise funds through the generosity of corporations, as well as through grants from the state and private foundations.
How can I donate to NCJW?
You can donate online by going to our Donate page, or by calling the office at 973.740.0588.
How is my money used?
Your financial contributions to NCJW, Essex County Section allow us to create and implement our many community service projects that improve the quality of life for women, children, and families.
Can I designate where I'd like my money to go?
Most of the funds we raise go into the general budget to support all of our programming. However, from time to time we have special opportunities to fund specific projects. For more information, call our executive director, Cathy Silverman, at 973.740.0588.
Do you have a thrift shop?
We used to run several thrift shops throughout Essex County, but the last of them closed in the early 2000s.
