Hannah G Solomon Award and Luncheon

National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section

is pleased to announce

Leslie Jacobs

as our 2026 Hannah G. Solomon Award recipient.

We will celebrate our newest Hannah Solomon honoree at a luncheon

on February 2, 2026.

This award is given annually to a volunteer community leader who exemplifies the qualities of Hannah G. Solomon, founder of the National Council of Jewish Women.

Details, Registration and Invitation to follow.

Save the Date!

Monday, February 2, 2026

Audubon Tea Room

Part of the Hannah Solomon Committee surprising recipient Leslie Jacobs Pictured above from left: Back row: Wendy Goldberg (Committee Co-Chair), Ina Weber Davis, Barbara Kaplinsky, Front row: Leslie Jacobs (Award recipient), Susan Greenberg (Co-President), Leslie Fischman (VP Administration), Melanie Bronfin (Committee Co-Chair), Dana Shepard Not pictured: Diana Mann (Co-President), Madalyn Schenk and Kathy Shepard

Leslie Jacobs is a former insurance executive who has been engaged in education reform for more than thirty-five years. A native of New Orleans, she began as a business partner with an elementary school, served as an elected member of the New Orleans School Board, and twelve years on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Leslie is considered the architect of Louisiana’s accountability reform, was instrumental in the creation of the Recovery School District and has been very involved in efforts to build successful schools in New Orleans post-Katrina.

Jacobs founded three organizations that reflect her commitment to venture philanthopy: 504ward, an group dedicated to retaining talented young 20- and 30-somethings in New Orleans; Educate Now!, a nonprofit committed to reforming New Orleans public schools; and YouthForce NOLA, an education, business, and civic collaboration that prepares New Orleans public school students for successful pursuit of high-wage, high-demand career pathways.

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