Suzy Gelman appointed to board of Jewish charity

Suzy Gelman, a member of the Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth in Rockville Centre, was selected to join the Women of Reform Judaism’s national board, where she will assist in its mission to serve thousands of Jewish women and maintain a global network of sisterhoods and women’s groups throughout the Jewish community.

The Women of Reform Judaism selected Gelman because of her dedication to the Rockville Centre community and local Jewish networks, as well as her history of philanthropy and charitable works.

Before being appointed to the national board of the Women of Reform Judaism, Gelman served as president of the sisterhood at Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth for more than a decade. She also brings leadership experience, as a member of the Northeast District Executive Board of the Women of Reform Judaism.

Gelman was asked by members of the organization to apply to be nominated earlier this year. She was notified in February that she was officially selected to join the national board, and began her training in the spring.

“Maintaining our vibrant Jewish community is important to me,” Gelman said, attributing her lifetime of experience as a part of the Jewish community as preparation for her work with the Women of Reform Judaism.

The Women of Reform Judaism define their primary goals and responsibilities by three pillars — spirituality, sisterhood and social action. The organization meets these objectives by empowering women, adapting and enriching contemporary lives to follow the models set by Jewish traditions and religious rituals, and by following the Hebrew principle of “Tikkun Olam,” which in English translates to “world repair” through compassionate causes.

One initiative that the organization uses to meet these goals is the Youth, Education and Special Projects — or YES — fund. Between 2023 and 2024, the Women of Reform Judaism added a fourth criteria to its fundraising efforts dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which provides $300,500 worth of grants to two dozen programs across North America and Israel.

Three programs that receive the most funding from the Women of Reform Judaism’s YES Fund were Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Scholarships, which received $60,000, the Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship at the Religious Action Center, which received $36,000, and Shlichei Tzibur Prayer Leadership Program, which received $20,000.

Gelman said that she will primarily spend the first year of her tenure being trained and caught up to speed by her new colleagues. When asked about what was appealing to her about the organization and its mission, Gelman was quick to voice her excitement about the women she will be working with.

“They’re incredibly strong, vibrant, intelligent, wonderful women and leaders, but in the warmest way,” Gelman said.