Irene Edelstein of North Caldwell, a past president and vice president of Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex who was also deeply involved with the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey, died Feb. 7 after a long battle with cancer. She was 57.

Edelstein, who served the Caldwell synagogue in a variety of capacities, was president from July 1995 to June 1997. For the past seven years, she headed the current construction project at the synagogue.

Rabbi Alan Silverstein of Agudath Israel said that the “icing on the cake of Irene’s career as an exemplary leader at the congregation was her unparalleled devotion during the years she shepherded the planning and implementation of the magnificent new synagogue building” under construction.

Ground breaking for the major project was held in October; it is expected to be completed by spring 2008, said Agudath Israel executive director Arthur Cohen.

“Irene handled the role of chair of this enormous project with her trademark elegance, effectiveness, and consensus building,” Silverstein said. “The new facility is a gift bequeathed by Irene to us all. When we enter it, we will always feel embraced by her smile, her savvy, her warmth, and her love.”

She had also been honored by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for her work at Agudath Israel.

Edelstein was affiliated with UJC MetroWest for many years and in many capacities. She served as vice president of the Women’s Department and cochaired its 2006 annual meeting. She also served as a member of the UJC MetroWest board and the Jewish Education Association of MetroWest board, vice president of the UJC executive committee, and cochair of the UJC Argentina Committee, which in 2003 coordinated relief to Argentinean Jews left destitute by the country’s economic collapse.

“She was a fantastic leader and a wonderful person,” said Max L. Kleinman, executive vice president of UJC MetroWest. “When she first became ill, she fought it and remained involved in UJC. And now she’s gone at what should be the height of her life, at a time that should have been the climax of her life.

“It’s so sad. It reminds me of the book by Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”

“Irene defines eshet hayil,” said Lori Klinghoffer, chair of the UJC MetroWest Marketing Department and immediate past chair of the UJA Campaign. “She was beyond remarkable, a true woman of valor. Her strength, her warmth, and her love of life were an inspiration to everyone she touched, and she touched so many. Although we can never fill the void her passing leaves, we have all learned from Irene and will hold her in our hearts forever.”

Silverstein recalled her leadership of the UJC MetroWest mission to Tucuman, Argentina, at the height of that country’s economic and social crisis. “Tucuman’s Jewish leaders were enthralled by the opening message of support delivered by Irene as mission chair. As the community rabbi said, ‘She is so very exceptional. A true angel has been sent by God to Jewish brothers and sisters in need.’”

Edelstein also cochaired the Jewish Outreach Initiative for synagogue outreach and served as a member of many UJC MetroWest committees, including Israel and Overseas, Women’s Department Deborah Table, and UJC Partnership 2000. At the time of her death, she was a trustee of the Women’s Department.

“She was a visionary,” said Paula Saginaw, a close friend who worked with Edelstein at UJC MetroWest for many years. “But she was also very grounded and realistic. She kept people on track and kept the discussions real. Her intelligence and commitment were paramount, a real asset. She was always honest and genuine, and she was inspirational.

“It is so sad she did not live to see the completed renovation of Agudath Israel. She was the best friend anyone could hope for.”

Edelstein was also active with Masorti Olami (the World Council of Conservative/Masorti Synagogues) and the Jewish Theological Seminary and held various positions in the Morris and Essex county sections of National Council of Jewish Women.

She was a nursing instructor at the Mountainside School of Nursing in Glen Ridge and a member of the Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell.

Born Irene Marian Tishman in Elizabeth, she lived in Union and Parsippany before moving to North Caldwell. She received a nursing degree from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, and a master’s degree in nursing from Rutgers University.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Eric; two daughters, Dorie Eisenstein of New York City and her husband, Seth, and Peri Edelstein of Boston; two sisters, Lynn Kristal of Parkland, Fla., and her husband, Robert, and Marilyn Kleinman of Boca Raton, Fla., and her husband, Leonard. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rebecca Tishman.

Services were held Feb. 9. The family has asked that donations in her memory be directed to the Congregation Agudath Israel Irene Edelstein Memorial Building Fund.