Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

  • Shop
  • Subscribe to BMG
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Front Page
  • All Posts
  • About
  • Rules
  • Events
  • Register on BMG

JALSA Leadership Transition Indicates Next Chapter in Jewish Social Justice Advocacy

July 10, 2017 By JALSA

BOSTON, July 10, 2017- Sheila Decter, Founder and Executive Director of the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA), and a tireless advocate for social and economic justice, civil rights and constitutional liberties in a career spanning five decades, has announced her plans to step down as executive director of JALSA this Fall.

The JALSA board of directors has named Cindy Rowe as the new executive director, effective September 1, 2017. JALSA will celebrate the outgoing and incoming leadership on September 14, 2017 from 7-9pm at Temple Israel, or as we like to call them “The Wonder Women of Jewish Social Justice.” There will be additional details available about this event in the coming weeks.

“Sheila built JALSA from the ground up into the force it is today. She has been a leader in the Jewish social justice movement for decades and has dedicated her entire career to fighting for the rights of others. Her work ethic and progressive vision will always be the bedrock of our organization,” said JALSA Board President Larry Bailis.

“As JALSA takes on the next chapter in social justice history,” Bailis continued, “the board is thrilled to announce that Cindy Rowe will be leading the charge as executive director, starting this fall. Cindy has been with JALSA since it’s inception and her policy and development expertise is unparalleled. We know that she will take JALSA to the next level during these uncertain political times and will chart a path forward for social justice advocacy in the Jewish community,” President Bailis concluded.

Prior to JALSA, Sheila served as Executive Director of the New England Region of American Jewish Congress for 23 years. She was also the Assistant Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and taught political science at Northeastern University and at Lasell College as chairman of the faculty.

“Civil Rights and social justice have been a lifelong pursuit for me,” Decter said. “My jewish values have always guided my career and taught me the importance of working to make our communities more responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable. I am incredibly proud of all that JALSA has accomplished over the past 16 years, from supporting religious liberties to civil rights to earned sick time, JALSA is now, has been, and will continue to be a leading voice for social justice and that work is more important now than ever before.”

Decter continued, “I am excited to see Cindy Rowe step into the role of Executive Director. Cindy has worked with JALSA to advance progressive policies since our organization was founded. She spearheaded all of JALSA’s development initiatives, served as a leader on the Strategy Committee guiding the passage of the state’s most recent gun violence prevention law and so much more. I know she will do a phenomenal job leading JALSA in the next chapter of social justice advocacy.”

In addition to her work with JALSA, Cindy serves as the Social Justice chair at Temple Israel, which pioneered the concept of using community organizing in a synagogue setting over 10 years ago, leading to the adoption of this technique in hundreds of synagogues across the country. She also has many years of advocacy experience, having worked in the Massachusetts State House for both the Administration and Legislature.

As Executive Director, Cindy Rowe will strengthen JALSA’s leadership role in advocacy with state and local officials and engage a wide range of urban and suburban groups in progressive policy campaigns. Cindy combines her academic background as a lawyer with her public policy and community organizing expertise, in addition to her knowledge of the Massachusetts nonprofit and political communities.

“I am delighted to be selected as the next Executive Director of JALSA,” Rowe stated,”and I know the work Sheila, I, and many others at JALSA have been involved in over the past decade and a half will not only continue but also grow. As such, we will fight as passionately in the future to defend the values of opportunity, equality, and fair treatment for everyone in our country.  I look forward to empowering our members across the Commonwealth, making their voices heard in the State House, at the Capitol, and in our courts.”

JALSA’s pursuit of justice is based on Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), and we are building the resources necessary to deepen this work. JALSA members are multi-generational, ranging from their 20’s to their 90’s, and participate in visits with legislators, serve on policy strategy teams, create coalitions, provide educational workshops, and submit amicus briefs.

##
Devoted to the defense of civil rights, the preservation of constitutional liberties, and the passionate pursuit of social, economic, and environmental justice for all people, JALSA is a statewide organization with members who are creating a world that is more compassionate and just. For more information on JALSA’s work, visit www.jalsa.org.

If you are a member of the media who would like more information on JALSA’s leadership transition, please contact Rachael Dubinsky.

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0
0

Filed Under: User Tagged With: bmg, boston, immigration, law-and-lawyers, ma, ma-gov, ma-sen, massachusetts

Recommended Posts

  • No posts liked yet.

Recent User Posts

Predictions Open Thread

December 22, 2022 By jconway

This is why I love Joe Biden

December 21, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Garland’s Word

December 19, 2022 By terrymcginty

Some Parting Thoughts

December 19, 2022 By jconway

Beware the latest grift

December 16, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Thank you, Blue Mass Group!

December 15, 2022 By methuenprogressive

Recent Comments

  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftSo where to, then??
  • Christopher on Some Parting ThoughtsI've enjoyed our discussions as well (but we have yet to…
  • Christopher on Beware the latest griftI can't imagine anyone of our ilk not already on Twitter…
  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftI will miss this site. Where are people going? Twitter?…
  • chrismatth on A valedictoryI joined BMG late - 13 years ago next month and three da…
  • SomervilleTom on Geopolitics of FusionEVERY un-designed, un-built, and un-tested technology is…
  • Charley on the MTA on A valedictoryThat’s a great idea, and I’ll be there on Sunday. It’s a…

Archive

@bluemassgroup on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

From our sponsors




Google Calendar







Search

Archives

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter




Copyright © 2025 Owned and operated by BMG Media Empire LLC. Read the terms of use. Some rights reserved.