Southwest Jewish Congress Announces Susan Myers's Retirement

After nearly two decades of dedicated service, most recently as Executive Director, Susan Myers is retiring from Southwest Jewish Congress (SWJC). She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, leadership, and community connection. Through countless programs and events, she has touched lives, built lasting relationships, and inspired others to learn, grow, and give back. Susan, raised on a Polled Hereford cattle ranch in Bosque County, south of Fort Worth, marvels at how different her life has been since those childhood days.

We’ll be throwing her a Texas-sized party on Thursday, April 23, 2026 starting at 5:30 pm.

Susan’s History of Service

Susan’s dedication to the Jewish community spans nearly 40 years, including her pivotal role at SWJC since its founding in 2009. Her commitment has helped shape an organization that continues to educate, unite, and empower groups across North Texas. The past two decades of SWJC programs educating the community has created ripples of positive change that will continue to strengthen and uplift others for years to come. Susan’s retirement marks not an ending, but the celebration of a remarkable journey of service and impact.

When asked about some of her proudest accomplishments, Susan reflects on her time supporting Gil Elan, former Executive Director with his weekly Middle East briefings bringing Jews and Christians together to better understand the complexities of the Middle East and Israel.

Another program implemented during her tenure was the SWJC Building Bridges Grant Initiative, giving funds to local nonprofit organizations to cover specific project needs with the greatest impact. Grants of $2,000 to $2,500 have been given to more than 40 groups. These programs range from providing gas cards to women fleeing domestic violence, building wheelchair ramps for home bound individuals, providing breast pumps for low-income women, enabling vision services for those in need, providing dentistry for abused women, and many more unique services.

SWJC Advances American Indian Legislation

Over the years, many groups have benefited and continue to benefit from these grants, but Susan is perhaps most proud of what happened when she saw a Facebook post on Columbus Day from a friend that was a former award recipient, an American Indian, and a DISD employee. The post explained how inappropriate it was for American Indian children to be expected to celebrate a day honoring a person who was so detrimental to their culture. Her friend wanted recognition from Texas acknowledging the cultural, and social contributions the American Indian communities and leaders have made to this state. Susan felt that this could be an issue for Southwest Jewish Congress and presented it to the Board, who agreed. SWJC led the effort to write legislation which created and declared the last Friday in September as American Indian Heritage Day in Texas (AIHD). A tradition, still celebrated on the Saturday following AIHD with an event at Lone Star Park.

Impact during the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 crisis, Susan helped to implement Building Bridges Feeding Heroes & Neighbors, an SWJC initiative that raised $50,000 to feed first responders and people experiencing homelessness across the DFW area with every dollar going directly to those in need. Hot, nutritious, individually packaged meals were delivered to various locations around the DFW area.

Susan’s Team

Susan is proud of the accomplishments of SWJC and the 9-year partnership with President Susie Salfield Avnery, who will step down in May.  Susan says her board’s determination and camaraderie has helped drive SWJC’s growth and success. She has served with long-term Board members including Nelda Golden, Marla Janco, Cindy Ray, Jonathan Spigel, Rosie Stromberg, and SWJC Founding Chair Harry Ploss.

The Future — Connected to The Past

SWJC is entering an exciting new era with Lorraine Friedman stepping into the role of Executive Director. Lorraine brings a wealth of experience — as the founder of an award-winning nonprofit organization in Alexandria, Virginia; more than a decade as an attorney and advocate for at-risk children and families; and years of creativity as an author, singer, and songwriter. Since returning to Dallas, she has served as Director of Inclusion at Temple Emanu-El, Director of Special Needs Partnerships at Jewish Family Service, and most recently as a life coach, helping others realize their fullest potential. Lorraine is thrilled to join the SWJC family and to continue building on the incredible foundation Susan helped create. Lorraine grew up in Dallas, and some may remember her sweet, funny father, Will Friedman, and her amazing mother, Barbara Ravkind Friedman, a teacher at Kramer Elementary School and then W. T. White High School, who was a SWJC honoree — making Lorraine’s connection to SWJC even more meaningful.

Susan is looking forward to working with her husband Jim in their nonprofit Biblical Heritage Center, Inc. She will also have more time to spend with her family, which includes five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Join us at Susan’s Texas Sized Event, celebrating her retirement — and her Lifetime Achievement Award. Visit our website at swjc.org for information about sponsorships, tribute ads, and tickets.