Aiding the vulnerable

As president of National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section, representing over 3,000 members and supporters in the MetroWest community, it was a great honor to find that the work that we did over 60 years ago in welcoming and assisting refugees following the war was recognized by the esteemed historian and author Hasia Diner in her newest book We Remember With Reverence And Love (“The myth of silence,” April 8).

As NCJW Essex County Section nears its 100-year anniversary, we proudly say that our mission of identifying and addressing needs in the community has never wavered. The populations have shifted, but as a volunteer organization that has been at the forefront of social change, we continue to assist those most vulnerable through advocacy, education, community service, and philanthropy. A current example is our nonsectarian services to provide job readiness skills, computer classes, career appropriate apparel, job search strategies, and emotional support to women seeking to return to the workforce because of a family upheaval or enormous economic need. In August our Back 2 School Store will outfit 350 youngsters from low-income homes with new clothing, jackets, sneakers, backpacks filled with school supplies, and personal hygiene products as they prepare to return to school. These are just a sampling of the many ways that NCJW empowers women, children, and families in the community.

So, thank you for your article by Elaine Durbach, and the wonderful pictures featuring National Council of Jewish Women.

To volunteer or to become a member of NCJW, please visit www.ncjwessex.org or call our office at 973-740-0588.

Sharon Falkin
President
NCJW, Essex County Section