Dear NCJW Members and Friends,

I am so honored and excited to be President of National Council of Jewish Women Greater Rochester Section! I begin my term at a time of instability, uncertainty, and change. So many of our rights and freedoms are being threatened, and hate in the world is increasing. NCJW GRS can and must fight back, just as we’ve done for over 130 years. Our advocacy is more important than ever! Our Opening Event in September will be dedicated to exactly that. We’re very excited to be welcoming Heather Booth, a renowned organizer, strategist, and activist, to work with us to help strengthen our advocacy skills and enhance our voices.

Our Rochester section has worked hard to integrate with and become more known in the wider community. This past year, we:  

• Participated in a rally for Proposition 1 at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester
• Participated in the Community Purim Carnival 
• Supported events sponsored by NAZ Konar Center for Tolerance & Jewish Studies, Jewish Family Services, Kulanu ROC, Pittsford CommUNITY, and Hillel at the University of Rochester
• Partnered with the JCC on the Lane Dworkin Authors + Innovators Festival
• Partnered with the JCC on the Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival
• Partnered with Brighton Food Cupboard
• Sponsored P.A.D. Parties to provide menstrual products for those in need held by Allendale Columbia School, Barrington Park Neighbors, GRAWA (Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys), Home Bureau of Rochester, St. John Fisher University Feminist Alliance, ShinShinim Federation of Israeli Emissaries, Temple B’rith Kodesh, Temple Beth El Sisterhood, Temple Sinai
  Women’s Chavurah (independent), and YMCA

In the coming year, we’ll continue to foster collaborative relationships so we can extend our reach and increase our impact. We’re grateful to have the help of our Community Connections Committee, led by Ellie Rosenbloom and Wendy Strauss, and our Public Affairs Committee, led by Lisa Waltzer. We always welcome new committee participants! Please contact us if you’re interested in joining either committee!

Our new membership year begins July 1, 2025. Please remember to renew your membership for the 2025-2026 year and invite your friends to join. Dues will remain $36 if you renew by September 9th, the date of our Opening Event. Starting September 10th, dues will increase to $54 (but will continue to be $36 for members under the age of 30). Renew now! 

Thank you to all of our members, both longstanding and new. Your time and support allow us to continue effecting change. I’m looking forward to working together and having a rewarding year ahead as we persist in our work for justice, equity, and compassion. 

With appreciation,

Dawn Wisset
President, NCJW Greater Rochester Section