Two Livingston Women Honored for Leadership and Service – TAPinto.net
LIVINGSTON, NJ – Two Livingston women and one Florham Park resident were recently honored for their leadership, service and contributions to the community to the Essex County chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women’s (NCJW/Essex) annual installation and awards dinner held at Cedar Hill Country Club in Livingston.
Elisa Madorsky of Livingston received the Henrietta Weiser Emerging Leader Award, presented by NCJW/Essex to a promising member who has demonstrated leadership potential. According to the organization, Madorsky has “worked tirelessly in her commitment to NCJW/Essex and demonstrated talent at taking on leadership roles.”
Madorsky became involved in the NCJW/Essex Back 2 School Store in 2014 and has since increased her involvement with this and other events. She spearheaded a “Lunch and Learn” event on gun violence prevention with Sandy Hook Promise and later joined the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, working to bring art supplies to victims of trafficking housed at Covenant House in Newark.
Additionally, Madorsky chaired Mitzvah-in-a-Minute (MIM), which offers quick community service projects that make a difference, and recently assumed the role as Vice President of Advocacy for NCJW/Essex.
Marion Medow, also of Livingston, was the recipient of The Hannah G. Solomon Award, presented by NCJW/Essex to an individual who has changed the lives of others through leadership efforts and service on a community level.
According to the organization, Medow has “consistently stepped up to lend a hand during her many years in New Jersey”—volunteering with in her synagogue, Hadassah, the Livingston PTA and Jewish Family Service of MetroWest (JFS), where she recently completed a two-year term as president. NCJW/Essex also noted that Medow, who learned about JFS through NCJW’s participation in the launch of the Rachel Coalition, is a “strong advocate for reducing the stigma of mental health issues.”
Medow’s work at NCJW/Essex has spanned a broad cross-section including chairing fundraisers as well as community service initiatives. She served as president from 2004 to 2006, which was the culmination of her many years of active participation in the Essex County section.
Leslie Lavinthal of Florham Park, was presented with the NCJW/Essex Service to Section Award, awarded to a member whose “generosity and resolute work as a volunteer has changed the lives of women, children and families.” According to the organization, Lavinthal has been “a steadfast and productive member of NCJW/Essex for 45 years.”
Initially drawn to the organization because she was new to her neighborhood, Lavinthal found the women to be intelligent and committed to community service. She has held multiple leadership positions within the Essex County section, including co-chair of the Back 2 School Store, vice president of the Center for Women and her current role as assistant treasurer.
NCJW/Essex states that with Lavinthal’s training as a special education teacher, she has especially enjoyed helping children attending the Back 2 School Store and supporting young children who have suffered losses through the peer support group, Rainbows. She also enjoys the hands-on opportunities, such as helping women at the Career Closet.