Media Contact
Alix Friedman
afriedman@hadassah.org
NEW YORK, NY: August 30, 2021 – Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA), announces that Naomi Adler, a distinguished leader in the nonprofit and Jewish communal sectors, has been named the organization’s new CEO. She will lead the country’s largest Jewish women’s organization, with nearly 300,000 members, donors and supporters and a professional staff of 200.
Ms. Adler will assume her new role on September 1, 2021, succeeding Janice Weinman, who retired June 30.
A former prosecutor and a community advocate, Ms. Adler comes to Hadassah with extensive achievements, including six years as President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and 13 years leading two United Way organizations in New York.
Said Rhoda Smolow, President of Hadassah: “We are thrilled to welcome Naomi Adler as Hadassah’s new CEO. A proven nonprofit leader with deep expertise in Jewish communal work and an impressive track record of community engagement, fundraising and advocacy, she is the ideal person to build on Hadassah’s past achievements, increase its global impact and take Hadassah into the next phase of its growth.”
Naomi Adler shared: “Hadassah’s ability to assemble and engage a diverse membership is second to none. Whether it’s advancing Zionism, fighting antisemitism, fostering Jewish youth development, advocating for improved access to medical care or supporting the exceptional work done by Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah’s accomplishments are more essential than ever. I am honored to have been chosen to partner with Hadassah’s unique network of strong female leaders and other supporters to further the organization’s critical work in the United States, Israel and around the world.”
Ms. Adler’s most recent leadership position was as President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which serves the sixth-largest Jewish population in the United States. In addition to raising significant funds on behalf of the community, she elevated Federation’s reputation on both the national and international stage, created innovative local initiatives that improved the community’s security, enhanced services for its most vulnerable and expanded professional development opportunities for Jewish communal professionals.
Among Ms. Adler’s accomplishments as President and CEO of two United Way organizations are expanding a 2-1-1 crisis call center, initiating programs to effectively combat poverty and leading the non-governmental disaster planning and recovery efforts in the wake of 9/11 and several natural disasters.
Ms. Adler has testified as an expert on charitable giving, antisemitism and global public health in local and national legislative forums, including the Ways and Means Committee of the United States Congress. She was recognized by President Obama for her efforts during Hurricane Sandy and by FEMA for her service to the community during Hurricanes Irene and Lee.
Hailing from Rochester, New York, Ms. Adler graduated from Mount Holyoke College and SUNY Buffalo School of Law before returning to her hometown to work first in private practice and then as Assistant District Attorney for Monroe County. Her reputation as a successful prosecutor in cases of violence against women and children, and later as a community advocate for families living in poverty, have earned Ms. Adler several honors.
A proud mother of three college-aged sons, she is married to Rabbi Brian Beal, a congregational rabbi and a consultant for mission-driven organizations.