NCJW Bergen to honor and install members this week
The Bergen County section of the National Council of Jewish Women holds its 2026 awards and installation champagne luncheon at Seasons in Washington Township on June 4
Judith Distler will be presented with the section’s Hannah G. Solomon award; Elaine K. Meyerson, a past president of the section, will receive the Woman of the Section award; and officers will be installed.
In 1893, Hannah G. Solomon was asked to organize Jewish women’s participation at Chicago’s World’s Fair. When she discovered that all the volunteers were allowed to do was pour coffee, she walked out. By the end of the World’s Fair, she had founded the National Council of Jewish Women. The Hannah G. Solomon award is named after her.
Judith Distler had a 25-year career in the Teaneck school system, coordinating special programs for volunteers, community relations, and community education. She also co-founded the Teaneck International Film Festival. Ms. Distler was on the list of New Jersey’s 100 Most Powerful Women and named a “local hero” by Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Elaine K. Meyerson became active in NCJW’s Bergen County section in 2016. That’s when she retired as executive director of the Center for Hope and Safety; she’d led the agency, which helps victims of domestic violence, for more than 29 years. She was co-president of the Bergen County section of NCJW for four terms; she’s also involved with the Bergen County Board of Social Services and the New Jersey court system.
Marcia Levy will remain the section’s honorary president and Bari-Lynne Schwartz will continue as its honorary vice president. Marilynn Friedman and Beth Pascarello are the co-presidents. Lois Katz Brown, Paula Star, Flora Perskie, Elizabeth Halverstam, Patty Siegel, Joan Cooper, Hilary Eth, Joyce Bivone, and Joan Ornstein are vice presidents, Susan Hagoel is treasurer, and Norma Goldsmith is secretary.
Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the work of the Bergen County NCJW section, which has 650 members and is committed to improving the lives of women, children, and families. For information, go to www.ncjwbcs.orgor call (201) 385-4847.