Past Presidents in attendance at the NCJW Double Chai Celebration: Seated L to R: Bettie Forman, Eileen Ladd, Karen Siegel, Melanie Cox and Barbara Laudenheimer. Standing L to R: Merle Dover, Ann Kocher, Joan Brook, Ellen Sable, Nanci Kahn, Amy Webberman, Melisa Markman, Susan Pintchovski, Ruth Ann Plotkin, Rona Statman, Linda Cox, Leslie Otis, Tina Coverman, Joni Rothenberg, Sandy Schwartz, Elyse Rosenberg, Marsha Steinback and Augusta Gelfand. Credit: Jonathan Serrano. 

By Elyse Rosenberg and Bettie Forman  

NCJW Austin held a big celebration on September 22, 2024 to honor all their past presidents, to honor Courtney Newmark with the Hannah G. Solomon Award and to commemorate NCJW’s 36 years in Austin. In attendance were many of the NCJW members, 23 past presidents, several clergy, elected officials and partner organizations.   

NCJW wants to thank their major Double Chai donors, Judith and Richard Berkowitz, Bettie and Brian Forman, Barbara and Ronnie Laudenheimer, Elyse and Rick Rosenberg, Amy and Jerry Webberman, Rachel Glast, Ellen and Jody Hunt, Melisa and Craig Markman, Ellen Sable and David LaPotin z”l, Judge Jan Soifer and Temple Beth Shalom.   

Additional donors include Friedel Family Foundation, Candy and Buddy Gardner, Pat and Bob Kahn, Lynn and Lenny Krasnow, Courtney and David Newmark, Jackie Nirenberg, Beth and Ariel Payán, Ruth Ann Plotkin, Jeri and Paul Saper, Michele Schwartz and Jesse Gordon, Andie Allen, Lee Bertiger, Cathy Campbell, Jenny Corman, Merle Dover, Augusta Gelfand, Lisa and Jeff Humphrey, Lea Isgur, Leone Lain, Linda Levy, Arlene and Lawrence Maze, Leslie and Rick Otis, Eva Pollack, Tina Leifer Rettig, Loren Schragger-Paeglis, Robyn and Mike Shapiro, Karen Siegel, and Rona Statman. 

NCJW wants to thank its vendors: Shalom Austin, Post Net, Olden Lighting, Austin Catering, MMM Decor and Events and Jonathan Serrano with assistant Shaina Forman.  

The fall programming also included NCJW participation in the Vote Forward movement, a Texas Gun Sense program and several community service projects. Upcoming is the Annual NCJW Chanukah Party on December 12 where they always benefit a local non-profit. This year NCJW will spotlight and collect for the Austin American Statesman Season For Caring. For more information, visit ncjwaustin.org. 

2025 will bring programming on Israel, women’s health/abortion rights, and advocacy at the Texas State Capitol. The central call to action for NCJW is, “Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Founded in 1893, they are the oldest Jewish women’s grassroots organization in the country and are continually guided by Jewish values that call them to improve the lives of the most vulnerable women, children, and families. They work in Austin, throughout the U.S. and Israel to achieve this goal.  

To see photos, a slideshow highlighting 36 years and the complete video interview with NCJW Austin’s first President, Augusta Gelfand, visit 
ncjwaustin.org/double-chai-celebration/. For more information, visit 
ncjwaustin.org and www.ncjw.org.