JWVA Officers

Shirley Neufeld Zak was born on June 16, 1949 in upper Manhattan. She attended PS 132, JHS 115, George Washington High School and Taylor Business School. Upon graduation, she began working for the New York State Department of Labor, first as a secretary, then through promotions, at the level of Labor Service Representative. She thoroughly enjoyed her job and was successful at helping the clients navigate their way through the maze of red tape.

Shirley met Jon Zak at a Washington Heights Temple dance in 1968, marrying a year later in September 1969. They had two children: Stuart, who is married to Gildana, and he has three children Olivia, Alex and Sophia; and Danielle, who is married to Tommy, and they have Elena.

Marrying into the Zak family gave Shirley a first-row seat to the benefits of involvement in an organization. Jon’s mother, PAP Annette Cohen, was active in the Neumann Goldman Ladies Auxiliary #69. Shirley liked the camaraderie, companionship, and especially the dances. As a result of developing friendships, Shirley began attending meetings. She attended a ward party at the Kingsbridge VA Hospital, and that was it! She became more and more involved, and soon the organization’s needs overruled her social needs. She began to rise through the various Chairs of Auxiliary #69 and eventually became President.

After this, she started attending the Bronx County Ladies Auxiliary meetings, where she met other like-minded ladies. Slowly she became involved here as she had before, eventually becoming President of the County, serving from 1987-1988. Shirley transferred to Auxiliary 101, which eventually became Auxiliary #3, where she eventually became and remained as President for many years.

Shirley then became active in the Department of New York Ladies Auxiliary. She rose through the Chairs and became the President of the Department of New York Ladies Auxiliary. Shirley served as Department of New York President for the years 2003 to 2004 and for 2014 to 2016. Shirley broadened her involvement and became active at the National echelon in various positions and was National Secretary for ten years. All this enabled her to do what she does best: meet more like-minded ladies and work with them. In her life outside the Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary, she enjoys reading mysteries, needlepointing, taking long walks, and spoiling her grandchildren.