AUGUST 31 • 2023 | 25 that we really needed to move into the 21st century, with a professional overseeing the business aspects of the organization,” she explained. “We interviewed several candi- dates for director, but Susan really ‘got’ how we operated, and she was extremely mul- tifaceted. Hiring her made the biggest dif- ference in how we ran our two thrift stores [which later became one store Council Re|Sale, currently located in Berkley] and the important revenue they provided the organization. Also, her ability to obtain grants for us was huge.” Herrmann also highlighted Gertner’s deep empathy for others. “Because of her background in social work, she is just a kind and helpful person, which is so important when new presidents and volunteers come to NCJW , ” she said. When Gertner went for her interview at NCJW , people remembered her from early on in her career as a Meals on Wheels case- worker. “Honestly, it was really like coming home; I’ d come full circle, ” said Gertner. In her early years at NCJW , Gertner intro- duced important changes. One challenge was streamlining meeting notifications for greater efficiency. “Everything went by snail mail, so if there were 15 meetings in a week with 10 people at each meeting, that would be a lot of stamps and administration, ” explained Gertner. She revamped the office structure to include other staff, applied for and obtained more grants, and put a publicity and mar- keting system in place. Most of all, she has provided the continuity between the last 11 presidents. “Susan has forgotten more about NCJW than anyone of us would ever know — her memory is phenomenal, ” explained current NCJW|MI President Sallyjo Levine. “She also has an amazing ability to look at a situation and analyze what is the best thing to do, and she really listens when someone talks, so she picks up nuances others might miss. ” Levine said that everyone at NCJW , both locally and nationally, has tremendous respect for Gertner. “We can’t fail to succeed when we have someone as strong as Susan alongside us. She truly believes in what we do, ” she explained. “Susan went to MSU, so bleeds green and white, but her son Charlie went to U of M, so she also bleeds maize and blue. The truth is, however, that she actually bleeds green and blue, the colors of NCJW . ” Like so many nonprofits, the pandem- ic brought new challenges for Gertner and NCJW to navigate. “But we made it through COVID-19 without missing a beat. We transformed our office to allow everyone to work from home. I was able to secure enough funds through grants and loans to keep us financially stable, and to continue to meet the needs of our commu- nity,” Gertner said. The demand for Meals on Wheels, staffed by NCJW volunteers, doubled during the pandemic and, due to staffing changes, for months Gertner had to play a major role in coordinating the program. She would work from 6 a.m. to noon at Meals on Wheels before doing her day job. “I had to do it because we wanted to make sure our participants had the meals they needed, ” she said. Gertner, a member of Temple Shir Shalom, is very proud of the organization she serves. “If NCJW sees a need in the community, we research and find a way to do a project to help. This need could be voter advocacy, reproductive rights, helping low-income children in Detroit get school supplies and clothes, or finding a way to make our world greener by finding a new use for plastic bags by creating sleeping mats for the homeless, ” she said. Looking ahead, Gertner plans to contin- ue encouraging the next generation to be involved to ensure the continuation of the important work of NCJW|MI. She said she is continually impressed by the amazing and dedicated volunteers and wonderful staff at her organization. “ As for me, I feel like I am making a difference in my community, and not everyone can say that about their job, ” she added. To learn more and get involved in National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan, go to ncjwmi.org. Susan Gertner, center, cheers for NCJW literacy volunteers at a Pistons game in 2013. Susan packs back- packs for low-income children in 2015. Susan Gertner cooks for the staff appreciation breakfast in 2015.