Caren Edelstein z”l

Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

Caren Edelstein, NCJW Co-State Policy Advocate (SPA) of Texas and past president of NCJW Greater Dallas, was a remarkable force for good and a beloved friend to so many in our community. She is being honored posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her extraordinary leadership, advocacy, and lifelong commitment to justice.

Leadership within NCJW

Caren served as a State Policy Advocate (SPA) for seven years following her tenure as president of NCJW Greater Dallas. Her fellow SPAs often described her as unwavering in her dedication and exceptional in her warmth, kindness, and generosity as both an advocate and mentor. Even in the months before her passing, she remained deeply engaged in NCJW’s work, testifying multiple times on behalf of the organization against Texas’s Bible curriculum legislation.

Lifelong advocacy and coalition building

For more than three decades, Caren was an unrelenting force for social change and women’s rights. She built coalitions to address domestic violence and human trafficking and advocated consistently for voting rights and immigration reform. Her extensive network of more than 1,000 women and families strengthened her ability to advance work on food insecurity and wage equality, amplifying impact across North Texas and beyond.

A career devoted to education and inclusion

Caren was also a devoted educator and champion of disability inclusion. Her work as a teacher, diagnostician, assistant principal, and principal spanned multiple districts, including DISD, RISD, HPISD, and private education settings. She served as principal of Lake Highlands Elementary in RISD and McCullough Intermediate School in HPISD and later as headmaster at Wise Academy before retiring.

A certified deaf education teacher at Southern Methodist University, she also developed groundbreaking curriculum for deaf children. She earned recognition as Region 10 Principal of the Year, reflecting her deep impact on students, families, and educators.

Education, leadership, and service

Caren earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969, a master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in 1972, and a doctorate in educational administration from East Texas State University in 1991. She was also recognized with the Meadows Foundation Scholarship Award for her commitment to education and service.

NCJW leadership and community impact

Caren’s NCJW leadership was deeply influential. She served as president of NCJW Greater Dallas and received both the Emerging Leader Award and the Hannah G. Solomon Award. She also spearheaded the creation of Hannah’s House, providing critical support for women affected by trauma.

A life of service and community

Beyond her advocacy and professional work, Caren remained active in Dallas cultural and civic life. She was engaged with the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Opera, and SMU Lecture Series and served on the Board of Preschool Education at Temple Emanu-El.

Caren’s legacy of justice, compassion, and relentless advocacy continues to inspire all who knew her.