New York, NY, December 15, 2013 … Blair C. Marks has been elected as President of the distinguished, international Board of Directors of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), an organization that has promoted Reform women’s issues and leadership for the past 100 years.
Marks was elected and installed during WRJ’s 49th Assembly & Centennial Celebration, Dec. 11-15, 2013 in San Diego, CA. Her installation service was led by Rabbis Erin C. Boxt and Steven J. Lebow of Temple Kol Emeth, Marietta, GA, and included performances from the WRJ Assembly Choir and her husband, Joe, who is a member of the Temple along with Marks.
“I am honored to serve as President of an organization that has committed itself to social justice and advocacy, empowering women leaders, and promoting Progressive Judaism worldwide, especially as it enters its 2nd Century,” said Blair C. Marks, WRJ President. “I look forward to working with a diverse, experienced group of women on the international, regional, and local levels to ensure that WRJ continues to thrive and grow as the oldest religiously-based Jewish women’s organization.”
For the past four years, Marks was the WRJ First Vice President, after serving terms as WRJ Vice President and Treasurer. In these roles, she chaired the organization’s first Audit Committee, was the Budget Committee Chair, and developed training for WRJ leadership.
Marks became involved with her sisterhood in the early 90s at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in Charleston, SC, eventually serving as that sisterhood’s president, and soon held various executive roles, including President, of the WRJ Southeast District. She is now active in her sisterhood at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta, GA.
A graduate of Georgia Tech with master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and Georgia State University, Marks is Director of Ethics for a global security and aerospace firm.
“We are thrilled to have Blair Marks join a long line of extraordinary WRJ Presidents who have helped pave the way for women’s leadership in congregational life since 1913,” said Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, WRJ Executive Director. “Blair follows in the footsteps of Lynn Magid Mazar, who will continue to serve on the Board as WRJ Immediate Past President and leaves behind a lasting legacy. Lynn’s leadership helped WRJ commemorate 100 years of incredible work.”
Since 1913, WRJ has taken a principal role in carving out a place for women in Reform Jewish life, beginning at a time when women could not serve as rabbis or on congregational boards.
The President leads the Board of Directors in helping to articulate and promote the organization’s vision, develop and implement major initiatives and policies, provide fiscal oversight, motivate and inspire women leaders, and consult on project strategy essential to the organization’s success related to areas such as membership, communications, development, programming, and social advocacy.