1 minute read
Contributes philanthropic passion to Sid Jacobson
BY CAMERYN OAKES
Nancy Waldbaum, community leader and the granddaughter of the Waldbaum supermarket founder, is the newest board president at the Sid Jacobsen Jewish Community Center and said she is looking forward to continuing the center’s work to bounce back from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Waldbaum said she comes from a family dedicated to philanthropy, a pursuit and passion instilled in her and applied to the work she implements in her life and at the Sid Jacobson JCC.
She has long served in charity work, including for organizations like Northwell Health, the Manhattan Jewish Experience and Variety Preschoolers Workshop. She is currently involved with the Jewish National Fund’s upcoming culinary institute, which is planned to be located in Israel. She is a longtime active member of the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation.
Waldbaum has served on the JCC board since 1992, starting at the age of 24 and serving for the past 31 years – more than half of Waldbaum’s life. She is also the executive director of the I. Waldbaum Family Foundation, serving since 1991.
During her time as a board member, Waldbaum has chaired the development committee, chaired the dinner dance — the JCC’s primary fundraiser – and has sat on nearly every JCC board committee.
Amassing 31 years on the JCC’s board, Waldbaum said she has witnessed a variety of leadership and staf changes. Through these three decades, she’s observed how leadership has conducted itself and said she will take those lessons into her new position as president.
“I’ve watched,” Waldbaum said. “I’ve watched what we’ve done well, I’ve watched what we’ve done exceptionally and I’ve learned from our mistakes.”
She said she has been inspired by the JCC’s staf and their eforts for constant innovation, contributing to the center’s expanding programming.
