Remembering a Woman of Valor and a True Leader, Gloria Adelson 

“Eshet chayil, a woman of valor, who can find? For her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Gloria Adelson was an eshet chayil, a woman of valor. She was the quintessential Southern lady—refined, polite, kind, charming, well-spoken. This was Gloria’s legacy to us. 

As we talked with her Women’s League friends and colleagues, we heard that Gloria was lovely and loving and that she was hospitable, making sure any new person in the room was introduced and welcomed. She always had something nice to say, and she gave with her heart. After one phone call with Gloria, one felt she had a friend for life with the “nicest, kindest, sweetest person.” 

Gloria was a leader and mentor in Women’s League, serving as Southern Branch President from 2002 to 2004, a WLCJ Vice President, a member of the WLCJ Finance Committee, a consultant, and a member of the WLCJ Board and the Torah Fund Cabinet. Most recently she was a member of the Chadashot committee, writing articles for this e-newsletter. When asked, Gloria always answered, “Yes.” 

Gloria looked for future leaders of Women’s League, mentoring, guiding, and supporting them as they moved into positions of leadership. She did the same at home in her beloved Emanu-El Sisterhood in Charleston, South Carolina. She served as president of the sisterhood twice and as vice president of administration, vice president of ways and means, and corresponding secretary. Throughout, she was a guide and mentor to new sisterhood board members. 

She loved her family and friends and was a devoted sister, aunt, wife, and companion. Gloria was lucky enough to have had two great loves, her husband, Joe (z”l), and then her long-time companion, Sy (z”l). 

Gloria exemplified a Women’s League leader by continually learning. She earned her BA from the University of Florida, pursued studies at the University of South Carolina Law School, and earned her MA from the West Naval Facilities Engineering Command. She was the director of Finance at the Charleston Naval Shipyard for many years. She also pursued her Jewish education, studying Hebrew at College of Charleston, learning Yiddish, and taking classes at her synagogue.

Gloria was a leader, a mentor, and an example of how to live a full Jewish life. She wanted to be sure that future generations of Jewish women would have the wonderful clergy and educators with whom she was blessed. She joined the group of dedicated volunteers who are members of the Torah Fund Legacy Society. Follow Gloria’s lead—learn how you, too, can ensure the future of Conservative/Masorti Judaism by becoming a member of the Torah Fund Legacy Society.  

Gloria would be proud.