Shoshana S. Cardin Leadership Symposium

Mrs. Cardin’s passionate engagement in the civic life of her city and beyond reflected her strong belief in the Jewish traditions of
taking responsibility for each other and one’s community. Mrs. Cardin was a powerhouse in advocating for the causes in which she
believed, whether the issue was women’s rights, the right of Jews to become Israeli citizens or restrictions on Jews in the former Soviet Union.

One of her first major leadership roles in the Jewish community was as president of the Federation of Jewish Women’s Organizations of Maryland from 1965 to 1967. She was the first woman to chair the Associated Jewish Charities and Welfare Fund of Baltimore, and she served on the boards of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, United Israel Appeal and United Jewish Appeal. In 1984 she became the first woman elected president of the Council of Jewish Federations, a precursor to what is now the Jewish Federations of
North America.

A public-school teacher early in her married life, she was a strong advocate of Jewish education for people of all ages. In addition to her passion for Jewish day school education for students of all denominations, she was instrumental in the creation of ACHARAI: The Shoshana S. Cardin Jewish Leadership Institute, which is now part of Na’aleh, to strengthen the knowledge and skills of volunteer leaders of all synagogues and Jewish communal organizations in the Baltimore area.

Mrs. Cardin’s Jewish heritage and faith inspired her passion and pursuits: “The most important message I have wanted to give people has been the importance, the pride and the responsibility, the blessing of being Jewish. That’s what gives me the strength to challenge what I have challenged and bring about change where I could.”