Wendy C. Abrams' path to her new role as JUF Board Chair is guided by a powerful mindset: say 'yes' and show up.
"I believe we have a communal responsibility to take care of our most vulnerable and each other," Abrams reflected. "My advice to anyone who's asked to volunteer or get involved is to say 'yes.' I promise you will be enriched through your service."
Abrams officially took the helm as Board Chair of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago in September, stepping into this role at a pivotal time for the Jewish community.
"Wendy is an experienced leader with an innate understanding of how to inspire and motivate people," said Lonnie Nasatir, JUF President. "This is a defining moment for our community. The needs at home to take care of those who need our support, protect Jewish students, and safeguard Jewish spaces, are all happening while we continue to provide critical aid to the people of Israel. Wendy's experience is deep, and her heart is big. I know both will be instrumental in her success in her new role."
A longtime leader with JUF, Abrams has chaired numerous key committees over the years, including Overall Planning & Allocations, Community Outreach & Engagement, Scholarship, and TOV Volunteer Network.
"I am honored to take on this work," Abrams said. "I think about my parents. My mom is still very involved with JUF and instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community she loves so much. And I think about the next generation-including my own children and grandchildren-and how we must continue to not just listen to them but learn from them.
"I stand on the shoulders of truly remarkable women who came before me as leaders, professionals, and volunteers. Now, it's my responsibility to be a role model for younger women as they seek pathways to Jewish life. It's this cycle, the connection from one generation to the next, that is so very important."
Abrams is a past Chair of National Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federations of North America, where she is an active Board member, and is past President and Campaign Chair of the Young Women's Board and the Women's Board of JUF's Women's Philanthropy.
A hallmark of Abrams leadership has been her travel including visits to Israel, Germany, and to Poland where she met with Ukrainian Jews just weeks after the war began. This experience was especially impactful, reminding Abrams of the collective strength of the Jewish community and the responsibility to take care of each other.
"We cannot lose sight of where the needs are, here at home and overseas," she said. "Our job is to help the most vulnerable, to not let perspective or politics get in our way, and to continue to build a thriving Jewish community."
Abrams has been honored for her commitment to community and to JUF with the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award in 2022 and the Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser Young Leadership Award in 2002.
A graduate of Tulane University, Abrams went on to earn her Masters of Speech and Language Pathology from Northwestern University.
Abrams and her husband, Steve, have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Elizabeth Abrams is Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications for JUF.
