Waldbaum named JCC board prez

Granddaughter of supermarket founder, philanthropist takes reins at Roslyn-based center

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.

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

She said she has been inspired by the JCC’s staff and their efforts for constant innovation, contributing to the center’s expanding programming.

Waldbaum has a vision of where she wants to take the Sid Jacobsen JCC, including creating an overarching endowment fund to protect the board, Waldbaum said she has witnessed a variety of leadership and staff 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.” center and its members in the event of a future emergency comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want us to have an endowment to protect us so that the children, the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren will have the opportunity to use our programs, to use our facility, to get what they need from us,” Waldbaum said. “Whether they’re cancer survivors looking for resources,

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