Community and volunteerism played a large part in Heléne Jacob’s upbringing. It was only natural for Heléne to become actively involved at the Hillcrest Jewish Center soon after she and her husband, Howard, started a family. She joined various committees, which led her to become the ritual chairperson and a synagogue vice president. As a Sisterhood Board member, Heléne initiated and has facilitated Moonlights, a Rosh Chodesh study gathering, for the past eight years, as well as chairing the annual Libby Mowshowitz Event. In the larger community, Heléne served on the Board of Education at the Solomon Schechter School of Queens and as PTA co-president. 
 

Professionally, after a brief career in advertising research, Heléne fulfilled her calling to be an educator by becoming a literacy specialist and staff developer and then rose to become a New York City K-8 school principal. During her tenure, the U.S. Department of Education recognized the school as a National Blue Ribbon School for its exemplary high performance. 

Heléne and Howard are extremely proud of their daughters, Ariela and Elana, and their husbands, Andrew and Josh. They have been blessed with five grandchildren – Noah, Sammy, Eli, Sydney, and Olivia -- whom they absolutely adore. Heléne loves to spend time with her family and friends, explore hidden gems in cities, and research her family’s history. 

Heléne dedicates her Woman of Achievement Award to her beloved mother, Fay Nathan, who made the needs of her synagogue and Sisterhood one of her prime concerns. Fay served as a branch speaker and as a vice president of the Women’s League North Shore Branch, a predecessor to BQLI Region. Fay was an excellent role model to her five daughters, each achieving accomplishments in her own right and carrying forward many family traditions.