Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

Organization founded by Civil War veterans in 1896.

From the description of Jewish War Veterans records, 1945-2010. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 317143712

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, 1896-Present

Founded in 1896, the Jewish Civil War veterans were an organization with a goal to help Jews obtain complete equality and benefits for themselves and their fellow veterans. During the early 20 th Century, Jewish Veterans who fought in the Spanish-American War created the Hebrew Veterans of the War with Spain. In 1912, both the Jewish Civil War Veterans and the Hebrew Veterans combined and obtained corporate status. More importantly, the newly merged group earned the right for Jews to serve in the National Guard, regardless of their religious beliefs. A decade later, the association would have their first national convention where they would elect their first group of national officers. Shortly after in 1927, the organization secured passage of legislation requiring the American Battlefield Monument Commission to place Star of David markers on the graves of Jewish soldiers buried in France. Two years after, the group would change their name to the present name, the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of the United States of America. During the 1930's, the JWV would push for many Anti-Nazi activities, including boycotting German goods and the 1936 Olympics. Many Jews would serve in the Second World War, and the organization would respond by advocating for the passage of the "G.I. Bill of Rights" legislation.

After World War II, the organization would push for European Jews to be allowed into Palestine, and in 1948, they would stage the Largest Parade in Jewish history with over 250,000 veterans marching for the creation of a Jewish State in Palestine, where Israel would be created shortly after. In 1954, the organization would move its National Headquarters to Washington, D.C. and ten years after would help break a Senate filibuster which led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. During the 1970's, the organization would be the first veterans organization to support withdrawal from Vietnam, and would show its opposition to the Soviet Union's treatment of Jews by opposing U.S. participation during the 1980 Olympic Games. In 1996, the organization held its centennial anniversary. Today, the organization continues to fight for equal treatment of Jewish war veterans, as well as veterans of other faiths, women, and people of color.

From the guide to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America collection, undated, 1923-1993, 2003, (American Jewish Historical Society)