President of Jewish Women International dies at 51

Rabkin joined JWI nearly 30 years ago as a young mother new to the Washington area. She was subsequently tapped for a variety of national leadership positions in the organization, culminating in her election as president of JWI in March 2000.

Whether dealing with the challenges of a large organization in transition or coordinating a fund-raiser honoring former First Lady Hillary Clinton, Rabkin lived by the motto that Jews "don't have the right to sit back, do nothing, and watch the world go by."

Rabkin grew up in Long Beach, N.Y. She graduated from Syracuse University and received her MSW from Catholic University. She was an active member of her synagogue, Kehillat Shalom in Gaithersburg, MD.

While battling cancer she remained actively involved and committed to the organization's work.

"We must take advantage of the challenges and opportunities we have and take action," Rabkin wrote before her death.

She is survived by her husband, Norman, son Michael, son and daughter-in-law Mark and Orli, and sister and brother-in-law Sara and Edwin Kotler.