Second Woman in History to Assume Top National Volunteer Role
Esta Epstein (center) with outgoing chair Marvin Nathan (left) and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt (right)
New York, NY, November 8, 2018 … ADL today announced the election of Esta Gordon Epstein as Chair of ADL’s Board of Directors. A Boston native and longtime leader with both the national organization and in the New England region, Epstein becomes the second woman to assume ADL’s top volunteer role in the organization’s 105-year history.
“We are truly blessed and fortunate to have Esta Epstein stepping into our top volunteer leadership role,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “Esta brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep knowledge of our work from the ground up, and she understands how important it is to use education as an antidote to break the cycle of hate. I’m excited for her leadership and ongoing counsel in the years ahead.”
Epstein will serve a three-year term as chair of the board, replacing outgoing chair Marvin D. Nathan. The gavel was passed earlier this week during ADL’s 2018 annual meeting in Houston.
“I am honored, humbled and privileged to assume the position of board chair,” Epstein said. “At this difficult time in our Jewish history, it is more important than ever for ADL to continue its crucial work. Over the past 11 days, we have seen how so many people around the country depend upon us for help and guidance in the face of anti-Semitism.”
Epstein has held leadership positions at ADL for three decades. She has served on the national advisory and executive committees and has chaired the education and regional operations committees. She has traveled extensively on ADL missions to Europe, Israel, South America and the Vatican.
In Boston, she served a three-year term as chair of the New England region and received the ADL’s Distinguished Community Service Award at the end of her term in 2010. As regional board chair, Epstein spearheaded ADL’s RESPECT billboard campaign with the Boston Celtics and encouraged ADL’s efforts to ensure the passage of anti-bullying legislation in Massachusetts.
A graduate of Tufts University and a former preschool teacher, Epstein has been a facilitator for ADL’s A World of Difference Institute, a leading provider of anti-bias education and diversity training programs and resources. She and her husband, Robert, co-chaired the program locally for many years.
Epstein has previously served as a board member of the Citi Performing Arts Center and on the board of overseers of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Greater Boston’s Jewish Federation. She currently serves on the executive board of the Miriam Fund, is the founding board chair of Interfaithfamily.com, and is a member of the Curator’s Circle at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Epstein lives in Boston with her husband; they have two daughters and four grandchildren.