Nancy Lewis of Plainsboro, who has called the Jewish Center of Princeton a second home, is being honored for her 24 years of service in all aspects of the administrative, religious, and communal life to the organization on Saturday, October 20. Lewis, who served as coordinator of Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs, Bar and Bat Mitzvah tutor, coordinator of fund raising, volunteer coordinator, newsletter editor, and religious school teacher, retired from her position as administrator on September 1. She had served as center administrator since 1999.##M:[more]##
Lewis, who was previously honored at a benefit evening featuring Joan Rivers on March 9, 2002, is married to Neil Lewis, the deputy mayor of Plainsboro since 1998, and vice president of Xenobiotic Laboratories in Plainsboro.
Born in Hamilton, Ohio, her religious education began in Congregation Beth Israel, a small conservative synagogue. Her father owned a furniture store and her mother was the education director at the synagogue. “My parents instilled a real love of Judaism in their children,” she says. “Two children and 24 years later I am very blessed to call the Jewish Center my home.”
Lewis, who graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language and Literature, spent her sophomore year in Israel studying Judaica. She did postgraduate work in Jewish History at Ohio State and began her career as the coordinator of adult and special events programming at the Jewish Community Center in Columbus, Ohio.
While in Jerusalem with Neil she served as special assistant to the vice president of the Hebrew University and as project coordinator the university’s program for academic cooperation with Egypt. From 1989 to 1999, Lewis was a teacher and play director for one month each summer working at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Lewis has served on the board of directors of the Princeton Girlchoir, and she has been active in the West Windsor-Plainsboro School district PTSA and with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Mercer County.
Her daughter, Anne, graduated from High School South, Class of 2001, and from Brown University. After spending two years in Israel on a fellowship, she is a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.
Her son, Adam, graduated from High School South, Class of 2004, and is a senior at the University of Michigan. He is majoring in biopsychology.
Lewis, in her retirement, is very active with the American Jewish Committee and is heading a teen conference in the spring. A breast cancer survivor, she volunteers for breast cancer benefit projects. She is also working part time on the annual fund campaign at the Jewish Center.
Shabbat services will be conducted by Rabbi Adam Feldman, Cantor Murray E. Simon, and Rabbi Annie Tucker, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Rabbi Shai Held of the Jewish Theological Seminary will be the featured speaker. A kiddush luncheon will follow. Contact Helen Schlaffer to register for the luncheon by E-mail at hschlaffer@thejewishcenter.org or call 609-921-0100, ext. 200.
“During my 24 years at the Jewish Center I have administered, coordinated, directed, edited, fundraised, programmed, organized, planned, repaired, schlepped, taught, tutored, and schmoozed,” says Lewis. “It’s bittersweet to leave but the Jewish community is my family and I will continue to be active.”
— Lynn Miller
Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street, 609-921-0100. Nancy Lewis of Plainsboro will be honored for her 24 years of service to the congregation. Saturday, October 20, 9:45 a.m.
