Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

Formed in 1948 by the merger of the Council Educational Alliance (est. 1899), Camp Wise (est. 1907), the Jewish Young Adult Bureau (est. 1939), and the Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council (est. 1945), for the purpose of providing recreational social and cultural programs to Cleveland's Jewish community. By 1959 the center moved from Cleveland to the suburb of Cleveland Heights.

From the description of Records 1899-1965. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 17382952

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland was formed in 1948 by the merger of the Council Educational Alliance (est. 1899), Camp Wise (est. 1907), the Jewish Young Adult Bureau (est. 1939), and the Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council (est. 1945), for the purpose of providing recreational social and cultural programs to Cleveland, Ohio's Jewish community. By 1959 the center moved from Cleveland to the suburb of Cleveland Heights. A second building was constructed in Beachwood in 1986.

From the description of Jewish Community Center of Cleveland records, series II, 1899-1991 (1960s-1970s). (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 43980311

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1948 after a Group Work Study sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland recommended the merger of four predecessor agencies: The Council Educational Alliance; Camp Wise; the Jewish Young Adult Bureau; and the Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council. Although each of these agencies was separately organized, all were established "to make daily living ricer and more constructive through group experiences in recreational, social, and cultural programs."

The Council Educational Alliance was founded in 1899 by the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women. Although originally housed in the Moritz Joseph mansion near Perry Street and Woodland Avenue, growing needs and a mobile Jewish population prompted two additional moves to East 37th Street and Woodland Avenue in 1909, and finally to East 135th Street and Kinsman Avenue, with an extension program on East 105th Street in 1928.

Organized as a settlement house in the heart of the immigrant community, Council Educational Alliance assisted its patrons in adjusting to the Cleveland Jewish community as well as to American society in general. Classes in citizenship training, English, handicrafts, and manual training were all offered by the Alliance. The Council was responsive to the specific needs of the Jewish community and acted as a meeting place for various Jewish fraternal and Zionist organizations.

In 1928, with immigration nearly at a halt, Americanization and settlement programs gave way to new activities such as athletics, dances, and other social functions to meet the needs of a population becoming predominantly American-born. The Great Depression years brought added needs for vocational guidance and an employment service became the forerunner of the Jewish Vocational Service.

The Jewish Young Adult Bureau was formed in 1939 because of the needs and pressures of many organized young adult groups, who complained of lack of facilities for meeting and activities. Throughout its existence, the Young Adult Bureau carried on a coordinated program of cultural and recreational activities for more than fifty groups, embracing four service areas: service to groups and individuals; conduct of programs cutting across all groups; inter-group cooperation; and community wide activities of both a Jewish and general character. In 1948, the Jewish Young Adult Bureau was merged with the newly created Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, becoming the Young Adult Services Division.

Camp Wise was founded in 1907 to enable Jewish children of differing backgrounds to experience country living in a camp setting. Unlike other camp programs available during this period, Camp Wise offered a distinctive Jewish milieu including a kosher kitchen and Sabbath services. In 1926 a section of the Camp Wise site was loaned to the Council Educational Alliance and a separate facility was formed and named Camp Henry Baker. After the second World War both camps were merged under the administration of the Alliance and subsequently merged under the Jewish Community Center in 1948.

The Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council came into existence in 1945 as an experiment in revitalizing Jewish cultural activity for adults. During its first three years of activity, the Cultural Department sponsored a Jewish Arts Festival, a program consultation service for organizations, a Program Chairmen's Planning Conference, a Jewish Music Committee, Art Committee, and Yiddish Cultural Committee. In October 1948, the Department was merged into the Adult Services Division of the Jewish Community Center.

From 1948-1959 the Jewish Community Center was without a major facility and therefore performed all business and functions through its five branches: Arlington; Shaker-Lee (Mount Pleasant); Euclid; Heights; and Mayfield. In 1958 land was purchased on Mayfield Road, a new modern facility was erected, and all branch operations were closed. The establishment of the Jewish Community Center in 1948, and the erection of a new building in 1959 allowed for the continuation of the services provided by its four predecessor agencies.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

From the guide to the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland Records, Series II, 1899-1992, 1960-1979, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1948 after a Group Work Study sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland recommended the merger of four predecessor agencies: The Council Educational Alliance; Camp Wise; the Jewish Young Adult Bureau; and the Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council. Although each of these agencies was separately organized, all were established "to make daily living ricer and more constructive through group experiences in recreational, social, and cultural programs."

The Council Educational Alliance was founded in 1899 by the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women. Although originally housed in the Moritz Joseph mansion near Perry Street and Woodland Avenue, growing needs and a mobile Jewish population prompted two additional moves to East 37th Street and Woodland Avenue in 1909, and finally to East 135th Street and Kinsman Avenue, with an extension program on East 105th Street in 1928.

Organized as a settlement house in the heart of the immigrant community, Council Educational Alliance assisted its patrons in adjusting to the Cleveland Jewish community as well as to American society in general. Classes in citizenship training, English, handicrafts, and manual training were all offered by the Alliance. The Council was responsive to the specific needs of the Jewish community and acted as a meeting place for various Jewish fraternal and Zionist organizations.

In 1928, with immigration nearly at a halt, Americanization and settlement programs gave way to new activities such as athletics, dances, and other social functions to meet the needs of a population becoming predominantly American-born. The Great Depression years brought added needs for vocational guidance and an employment service became the forerunner of the Jewish Vocational Service.

The Jewish Young Adult Bureau was formed in 1939 because of the needs and pressures of many organized young adult groups, who complained of lack of facilities for meeting and activities. Throughout its existence, the Young Adult Bureau carried on a coordinated program of cultural and recreational activities for more than fifty groups, embracing four service areas: service to groups and individuals; conduct of programs cutting across all groups; inter-group cooperation; and community wide activities of both a Jewish and general character. In 1948, the Jewish Young Adult Bureau was merged with the newly created Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, becoming the Young Adult Services Division.

Camp Wise was founded in 1907 to enable Jewish children of differing backgrounds to experience country living in a camp setting. Unlike other camp programs available during this period, Camp Wise offered a distinctive Jewish milieu including a kosher kitchen and Sabbath services. In 1926 a section of the Camp Wise site was loaned to the Council Educational Alliance and a separate facility was formed and named Camp Henry Baker. After the second World War both camps were merged under the administration of the Alliance and subsequently merged under the Jewish Community Center in 1948.

The Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council came into existence in 1945 as an experiment in revitalizing Jewish cultural activity for adults. During its first three years of activity, the Cultural Department sponsored a Jewish Arts Festival, a program consultation service for organizations, a Program Chairmen's Planning Conference, a Jewish Music Committee, Art Committee, and Yiddish Cultural Committee. In October 1948, the Department was merged into the Adult Services Division of the Jewish Community Center.

From 1948-1959 the Jewish Community Center was without a major facility and therefore performed all business and functions through its five branches: Arlington; Shaker-Lee (Mount Pleasant); Euclid; Heights; and Mayfield. In 1958 land was purchased on Mayfield Road, a new modern facility was erected, and all branch operations were closed. The establishment of the Jewish Community Center in 1948, and the erection of a new building in 1959 allowed for the continuation of the services provided by its four predecessor agencies.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

From the guide to the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland Photographs, 1910-1960, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1948 after a Group Work Study sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland recommended the merger of four predecessor agencies: The Council Educational Alliance; Camp Wise; the Jewish Young Adult Bureau; and the Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council. Although each of these agencies was separately organized, all were established "to make daily living ricer and more constructive through group experiences in recreational, social, and cultural programs."

The Council Educational Alliance was founded in 1899 by the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women. Although originally housed in the Moritz Joseph mansion near Perry Street and Woodland Avenue, growing needs and a mobile Jewish population prompted two additional moves to East 37th Street and Woodland Avenue in 1909, and finally to East 135th Street and Kinsman Avenue, with an extension program on East 105th Street in 1928.

Organized as a settlement house in the heart of the immigrant community, Council Educational Alliance assisted its patrons in adjusting to the Cleveland Jewish community as well as to American society in general. Classes in citizenship training, English, handicrafts, and manual training were all offered by the Alliance. The Council was responsive to the specific needs of the Jewish community and acted as a meeting place for various Jewish fraternal and Zionist organizations.

In 1928, with immigration nearly at a halt, Americanization and settlement programs gave way to new activities such as athletics, dances, and other social functions to meet the needs of a population becoming predominantly American-born. The Great Depression years brought added needs for vocational guidance and an employment service became the forerunner of the Jewish Vocational Service.

The Jewish Young Adult Bureau was formed in 1939 because of the needs and pressures of many organized young adult groups, who complained of lack of facilities for meeting and activities. Throughout its existence, the Young Adult Bureau carried on a coordinated program of cultural and recreational activities for more than fifty groups, embracing four service areas: service to groups and individuals; conduct of programs cutting across all groups; inter-group cooperation; and community wide activities of both a Jewish and general character. In 1948, the Jewish Young Adult Bureau was merged with the newly created Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, becoming the Young Adult Services Division.

Camp Wise was founded in 1907 to enable Jewish children of differing backgrounds to experience country living in a camp setting. Unlike other camp programs available during this period, Camp Wise offered a distinctive Jewish milieu including a kosher kitchen and Sabbath services. In 1926 a section of the Camp Wise site was loaned to the Council Educational Alliance and a separate facility was formed and named Camp Henry Baker. After the second World War both camps were merged under the administration of the Alliance and subsequently merged under the Jewish Community Center in 1948.

The Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council came into existence in 1945 as an experiment in revitalizing Jewish cultural activity for adults. During its first three years of activity, the Cultural Department sponsored a Jewish Arts Festival, a program consultation service for organizations, a Program Chairmen's Planning Conference, a Jewish Music Committee, Art Committee, and Yiddish Cultural Committee. In October 1948, the Department was merged into the Adult Services Division of the Jewish Community Center.

From 1948-1959 the Jewish Community Center was without a major facility and therefore performed all business and functions through its five branches: Arlington; Shaker-Lee (Mount Pleasant); Euclid; Heights; and Mayfield. In 1958 land was purchased on Mayfield Road, a new modern facility was erected, and all branch operations were closed. The establishment of the Jewish Community Center in 1948, and the erection of a new building in 1959 allowed for the continuation of the services provided by its four predecessor agencies.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

From the guide to the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland Records, 1899-1966, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1948 after a Group Work Study sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland recommended the merger of four predecessor agencies: The Council Educational Alliance; Camp Wise; the Jewish Young Adult Bureau; and the Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council. Although each of these agencies was separately organized, all were established "to make daily living ricer and more constructive through group experiences in recreational, social, and cultural programs."

The Council Educational Alliance was founded in 1899 by the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women. Although originally housed in the Moritz Joseph mansion near Perry Street and Woodland Avenue, growing needs and a mobile Jewish population prompted two additional moves to East 37th Street and Woodland Avenue in 1909, and finally to East 135th Street and Kinsman Avenue, with an extension program on East 105th Street in 1928.

Organized as a settlement house in the heart of the immigrant community, Council Educational Alliance assisted its patrons in adjusting to the Cleveland Jewish community as well as to American society in general. Classes in citizenship training, English, handicrafts, and manual training were all offered by the Alliance. The Council was responsive to the specific needs of the Jewish community and acted as a meeting place for various Jewish fraternal and Zionist organizations.

In 1928, with immigration nearly at a halt, Americanization and settlement programs gave way to new activities such as athletics, dances, and other social functions to meet the needs of a population becoming predominantly American-born. The Great Depression years brought added needs for vocational guidance and an employment service became the forerunner of the Jewish Vocational Service.

The Jewish Young Adult Bureau was formed in 1939 because of the needs and pressures of many organized young adult groups, who complained of lack of facilities for meeting and activities. Throughout its existence, the Young Adult Bureau carried on a coordinated program of cultural and recreational activities for more than fifty groups, embracing four service areas: service to groups and individuals; conduct of programs cutting across all groups; inter-group cooperation; and community wide activities of both a Jewish and general character. In 1948, the Jewish Young Adult Bureau was merged with the newly created Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, becoming the Young Adult Services Division.

Camp Wise was founded in 1907 to enable Jewish children of differing backgrounds to experience country living in a camp setting. Unlike other camp programs available during this period, Camp Wise offered a distinctive Jewish milieu including a kosher kitchen and Sabbath services. In 1926 a section of the Camp Wise site was loaned to the Council Educational Alliance and a separate facility was formed and named Camp Henry Baker. After the second World War both camps were merged under the administration of the Alliance and subsequently merged under the Jewish Community Center in 1948.

The Cultural Department of the Jewish Community Council came into existence in 1945 as an experiment in revitalizing Jewish cultural activity for adults. During its first three years of activity, the Cultural Department sponsored a Jewish Arts Festival, a program consultation service for organizations, a Program Chairmen's Planning Conference, a Jewish Music Committee, Art Committee, and Yiddish Cultural Committee. In October 1948, the Department was merged into the Adult Services Division of the Jewish Community Center.

From 1948-1959 the Jewish Community Center was without a major facility and therefore performed all business and functions through its five branches: Arlington; Shaker-Lee (Mount Pleasant); Euclid; Heights; and Mayfield. In 1958 land was purchased on Mayfield Road, a new modern facility was erected, and all branch operations were closed. The establishment of the Jewish Community Center in 1948, and the erection of a new building in 1959 allowed for the continuation of the services provided by its four predecessor agencies.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

From the guide to the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland Photographs, Series II, 1929-1992, (Western Reserve Historical Society)