National Council of Jewish Women. Cleveland Section

The National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section, is a women's service organization concerned with local, national, and international issues and projects. For a brief history of this organization, the research should consult the register to MS 3620 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records.

The National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section, is a women's service organization concerned with local, national, and international issues and projects. For a brief history of this organization, the researcher should consult the register to MS 3620 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women

The Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women was organized in 1894 by the Ladies Benevolent Society, a sewing and personal service group. The Section was one of several belonging to the National Council of Jewish Women which had been formed the year before in Chicago. The 271 charter members in Cleveland were led from 1894 to 1897 by Council's first president, Rabbi Moses J. Gries. Council's major emphasis was on philanthropic work both inside and outside the Jewish Community. The first major fundraising affair was a bazaar at the Cleveland Greys Armory in 1897 which raised $13,000.00. This money was used to start the Council Educational Alliance, a settlement house whose purpose was to Americanize the Jewish immigrants from Europe. The Council Educational Alliance was later to become the Jewish Community Center.

Over the years, Council aims have remained the same as expressed in the following "Statement of Purpose": "The National Council of Jewish Women is an organization which, in the spirit of Judaism, is dedicated to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities, locally, nationally and internationally. Through an integrated program of education, service and social action, it provides essential services and stimulates and educates the individual and the community toward their responsibility in advancing human welfare and the democratic way of life."

Council has continually innovated projects which meet the current needs of the Jewish and general community. Basic to Council's philosophy is the trained volunteer, and Cleveland Section was one of the first organizations to establish training sessions for its volunteers.

Some of Council's services are ongoing, while others serve as pilot projects later taken over by appropriate groups. For example, Craft Corner, and outlet for the sale of handiwork by World War II refugees was terminated when the family income of the emigres stabilized. Another project, the Vocational Counseling Bureau, proved so valuable that the Jewish Welfare Federation assumed responsibility for the Bureau which became Jewish Vocational Service. The community service projects in which Council participates are many and diverse including such varies services as Martha House, a home for working girls; Meals-On-Wheels, a delivery of hot meals to the elderly; Council Gardens, a home for the elderly; English classes for immigrants; scholarship aid for local and foreign students; day nurseries in the Hough area; Camp Wise for needy children; hospital work; aid to the blind; and many more.

Council is divided into various major divisions, each having its own vice-president. In early years the main sources of income were from dues and fund-raising programs; while dues are still collected, most of Council's income is from the Thrift Shops, the first of which was opened in 1936. Stocked with good used merchandise given by members, the Thrift Shops have been successful enough to eliminate the need for other types of fund-raising except for an occasional special program such as the Council Follies held in 1953 and 1962. Major meetings are held for the entire membership through the fall, winter, and spring. Education programs on diverse subjects are presented weekly. Other committee, volunteer, and special interest groups meet at varied times. Cleveland Section is a member of the District, National, and International structure of the Council of Jewish Women, for which Cleveland has hosted several conventions.

The Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women was organized in 1894 by the Ladies Benevolent Society, a sewing and personal service group. The Section was one of several belonging to the National Council of Jewish Women which had been formed the year before in Chicago. The 271 charter members in Cleveland were led from 1894 to 1897 by Council's first president, Rabbi Moses J. Gries. Council's major emphasis was on philanthropic work both inside and outside the Jewish Community. The first major fundraising affair was a bazaar at the Cleveland Greys Armory in 1897 which raised $13,000.00. This money was used to start the Council Educational Alliance, a settlement house whose purpose was to Americanize the Jewish immigrants from Europe. The Council Educational Alliance was later to become the Jewish Community Center.

Over the years, Council aims have remained the same as expressed in the following "Statement of Purpose": "The National Council of Jewish Women is an organization which, in the spirit of Judaism, is dedicated to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities, locally, nationally and internationally. Through an integrated program of education, service and social action, it provides essential services and stimulates and educates the individual and the community toward their responsibility in advancing human welfare and the democratic way of life."

Council has continually innovated projects which meet the current needs of the Jewish and general community. Basic to Council's philosophy is the trained volunteer, and Cleveland Section was one of the first organizations to establish training sessions for its volunteers.

Some of Council's services are ongoing, while others serve as pilot projects later taken over by appropriate groups. For example, Craft Corner, and outlet for the sale of handiwork by World War II refugees was terminated when the family income of the emigres stabilized. Another project, the Vocational Counseling Bureau, proved so valuable that the Jewish Welfare Federation assumed responsibility for the Bureau which became Jewish Vocational Service. The community service projects in which Council participates are many and diverse including such varies services as Martha House, a home for working girls; Meals-On-Wheels, a delivery of hot meals to the elderly; Council Gardens, a home for the elderly; English classes for immigrants; scholarship aid for local and foreign students; day nurseries in the Hough area; Camp Wise for needy children; hospital work; aid to the blind; and many more.

Council is divided into various major divisions, each having its own vice-president. In early years the main sources of income were from dues and fund-raising programs; while dues are still collected, most of Council's income is from the Thrift Shops, the first of which was opened in 1936. Stocked with good used merchandise given by members, the Thrift Shops have been successful enough to eliminate the need for other types of fund-raising except for an occasional special program such as the Council Follies held in 1953 and 1962. Major meetings are held for the entire membership through the fall, winter, and spring. Education programs on diverse subjects are presented weekly. Other committee, volunteer, and special interest groups meet at varied times. Cleveland Section is a member of the District, National, and International structure of the Council of Jewish Women, for which Cleveland has hosted several conventions.

Click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for The Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women

The Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women was organized in 1894 by the Ladies Benevolent Society, a sewing and personal service group. The Section was one of several belonging to the National Council of Jewish Women which had been formed the year before in Chicago. The 271 charter members in Cleveland were led from 1894 to 1897 by Council's first president, Rabbi Moses J. Gries. Council's major emphasis was on philanthropic work both inside and outside the Jewish Community. The first major fundraising affair was a bazaar at the Cleveland Greys Armory in 1897 which raised $13,000.00. This money was used to start the Council Educational Alliance, a settlement house whose purpose was to Americanize the Jewish immigrants from Europe. The Council Educational Alliance was later to become the Jewish Community Center.

Over the years, Council aims have remained the same as expressed in the following "Statement of Purpose": "The National Council of Jewish Women is an organization which, in the spirit of Judaism, is dedicated to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities, locally, nationally and internationally. Through an integrated program of education, service and social action, it provides essential services and stimulates and educates the individual and the community toward their responsibility in advancing human welfare and the democratic way of life."

Council has continually innovated projects which meet the current needs of the Jewish and general community. Basic to Council's philosophy is the trained volunteer, and Cleveland Section was one of the first organizations to establish training sessions for its volunteers.

Some of Council's services are ongoing, while others serve as pilot projects later taken over by appropriate groups. For example, Craft Corner, and outlet for the sale of handiwork by World War II refugees was terminated when the family income of the emigres stabilized. Another project, the Vocational Counseling Bureau, proved so valuable that the Jewish Welfare Federation assumed responsibility for the Bureau which became Jewish Vocational Service. The community service projects in which Council participates are many and diverse including such varies services as Martha House, a home for working girls; Meals-On-Wheels, a delivery of hot meals to the elderly; Council Gardens, a home for the elderly; English classes for immigrants; scholarship aid for local and foreign students; day nurseries in the Hough area; Camp Wise for needy children; hospital work; aid to the blind; and many more.

Council is divided into various major divisions, each having its own vice-president. In early years the main sources of income were from dues and fund-raising programs; while dues are still collected, most of Council's income is from the Thrift Shops, the first of which was opened in 1936. Stocked with good used merchandise given by members, the Thrift Shops have been successful enough to eliminate the need for other types of fund-raising except for an occasional special program such as the Council Follies held in 1953 and 1962. Major meetings are held for the entire membership through the fall, winter, and spring. Education programs on diverse subjects are presented weekly. Other committee, volunteer, and special interest groups meet at varied times. Cleveland Section is a member of the District, National, and International structure of the Council of Jewish Women, for which Cleveland has hosted several conventions.

Click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for The Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women

The Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women was organized in 1894 by the Ladies Benevolent Society, a sewing and personal service group. The Section was one of several belonging to the National Council of Jewish Women which had been formed the year before in Chicago, Illinois. The 271 charter members in Cleveland, Ohio, were led from 1894 to 1897 by the Council's first president, Rabbi Moses J. Gries. The Council's major emphasis was on philanthropic work both inside and outside the Jewish Community. The first major fundraising affair was a bazaar at the Cleveland Greys Armory in 1897 which raised $13,000. This money was used to start the Council Educational Alliance, a settlement house whose purpose was to Americanize Jewish immigrants from Europe. The Council Educational Alliance later became the Jewish Community Center. Over the years, the Council's aims have remained the same as expressed in the following "Statement of Purpose": "The National Council of Jewish Women is an organization which, in the spirit of Judaism, is dedicated to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities, locally, nationally, and internationally. Through an integrated program of education, service, and social action, it provides essential services and stimulates and educates the individual and the community toward their responsibility in advancing human welfare and the democratic way of life." The Council has continually innovated projects which meet the current needs of the Jewish and general community. Basic to the Council's philosophy is the trained volunteer, and the Cleveland Section was one of the first organizations to establish training sessions for its volunteers. Some of the Council's services are ongoing, while others serve as pilot projects later taken over by appropriate groups. For example, Craft Corner, an outlet for the sale of handiwork by World War II refugees was terminated when the family income of the emigres stabilized. Another project, the Vocational Counseling Bureau, proved so valuable that the Jewish Welfare Federation assumed responsibility for the Bureau which became the Jewish Vocational Service. The community service projects in which the Council participates are many and diverse, including such varied services as Martha House, a home for working girls; Meals-On-Wheels, a delivery of hot meals to the elderly; Council Gardens, a home for the elderly; English classes for immigrants; scholarship aid for local and foreign students; day nurseries in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood; Camp Wise for needy children; hospital work; aid to the blind; and many more. The Council is divided into various major divisions, each having its own vice-president. In early years the main sources of income were from dues and fundraising programs; while dues are still collected, most of the Council's income is from the Thrift Shops, the first of which was opened in 1936. Stocked with good used merchandise given by members, the Thrift Shops have been successful enough to eliminate the need for other types of fundraising except for an occasional special program such as the Council Follies held in 1953 and 1962. Major meetings are held for the entire membership through the fall, winter, and spring. Education programs on diverse subjects are presented weekly. Other committee, volunteer, and special interest groups meet at varied times. The Cleveland Section is a member of the District National, and International structure of the Council of Jewish Women, for which Cleveland has hosted several conventions.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women

The Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women was organized in 1894 by the Ladies Benevolent Society, a sewing and personal service group. The Section was one of several belonging to the National Council of Jewish Women which had been formed the year before in Chicago, Illinois. The 271 charter members in Cleveland, Ohio, were led from 1894 to 1897 by the Council's first president, Rabbi Moses J. Gries. The Council's major emphasis was on philanthropic work both inside and outside the Jewish Community. The first major fundraising affair was a bazaar at the Cleveland Greys Armory in 1897 which raised $13,000. This money was used to start the Council Educational Alliance, a settlement house whose purpose was to Americanize Jewish immigrants from Europe. The Council Educational Alliance later became the Jewish Community Center.

Over the years, the Council's aims have remained the same as expressed in the following "Statement of Purpose": "The National Council of Jewish Women is an organization which, in the spirit of Judaism, is dedicated to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities, locally, nationally, and internationally. Through an integrated program of education, service, and social action, it provides essential services and stimulates and educates the individual and the community toward their responsibility in advancing human welfare and the democratic way of life."

The Council has continually innovated projects which meet the current needs of the Jewish and general community. Basic to the Council's philosophy is the trained volunteer, and the Cleveland Section was one of the first organizations to establish training sessions for its volunteers.

Some of the Council's services are ongoing, while others serve as pilot projects later taken over by appropriate groups. For example, Craft Corner, an outlet for the sale of handiwork by World War II refugees was terminated when the family income of the emigres stabilized. Another project, the Vocational Counseling Bureau, proved so valuable that the Jewish Welfare Federation assumed responsibility for the Bureau which became the Jewish Vocational Service. The community service projects in which the Council participates are many and diverse, including such varied services as Martha House, a home for working girls; Meals-On-Wheels, a delivery of hot meals to the elderly; Council Gardens, a home for the elderly; English classes for immigrants; scholarship aid for local and foreign students; day nurseries in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood; Camp Wise for needy children; hospital work; aid to the blind; and many more.

The Council is divided into various major divisions, each having its own vice-president. In early years the main sources of income were from dues and fundraising programs; while dues are still collected, most of the Council's income is from the Thrift Shops, the first of which was opened in 1936. Stocked with good used merchandise given by members, the Thrift Shops have been successful enough to eliminate the need for other types of fundraising except for an occasional special program such as the Council Follies held in 1953 and 1962. Major meetings are held for the entire membership through the fall, winter, and spring. Education programs on diverse subjects are presented weekly. Other committee, volunteer, and special interest groups meet at varied times. The Cleveland Section is a member of the District National, and International structure of the Council of Jewish Women, for which Cleveland has hosted several conventions.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women