Jewish Vocational Aid Society (Boston)

The Jewish Vocational Aid Society (JVAS), founded in 1907 by Margaret E. Davidson, began with her desire to raise funds for musical education for orphans. It originally formed as the Jewish Children’s Aid Society of Boston (JCAS of Boston) to give musical education and vocational training to children of the Home for Jewish Children. In 1909, JCAS of Boston was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts. The organization was completely run by volunteers with no overhead. Financial aid was given based on worthiness and need--not just scholastic ability--and to be used for any vocational training that would lead to a career. The organization’s goal was self-support. JCAS of Boston assisted students in the greater Boston area, regardless of age, sex, race, or creed. The aid was administered in the form of interest-free loans, repayable when the recipient was financially independent. The JCAS of Boston officially changed its name to JVAS on April 13, 1936. On June 26, 1973, the Board of Trustees of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) approved a resolution put forward at the Executive Committee Meeting on February 20, 1973 to transfer the funds of JVAS to the CJP Endowment funds. CJP also agreed to use the funds for scholarship purposes under the terms established by JVAS. JVAS would continue administering assistance from the funds. 1

1 Compiled from JVAS Archives, CJP Archives.