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 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs, Series II, 1897-1993 and undated (bulk 1965-1982), consist of individual and group portraits of women active in the organization, including Ruth Einstein, credited with the idea of Council Gardens, and past presidents Isabelle Brown, Iris Curtis, Ernestine Greenberger, Maddy Joseph, Betty Mintz, Barbara Sobel, Jo Tramer, Yetta Wasserman, and Peggy Wasserstrom. Group portraits and views document the varied activities taken on by the Cleveland Section in the 1960s and 1970s, including the preparation of the Access Guide to Cleveland Disabled and Elderly Individuals, volunteer work at Mount Pleasant Community Center, Thrift Shops, and the establishment of Council Gardens in 1963 and Council House in 1979. National activities are represented by views of various conventions and legislative meetings with congressmen Tom Lantos and Charles Vanik and senators John Glenn and Howard Metzenbaum. International activities include Ship-a-Box, which sent toys to Israel. Also included are views of fashion shows and luncheons, popular social and fundraising events. Important early views include the "Beehive Booth," a fund raising event at Grays Armory in 1897, a Camp Wise view form 1907, and a Big Sister scene from 1919.
The collection includes approximately 1,500 black and white and color photographs of varying sizes.
This collection is of value to researchers seeking graphic materials depicting women's volunteer social organizations in general, and in the Cleveland, Ohio, metropolitan area in particular. There are several important historical photographs, including the "Beehive Booth," a fund raising event at Grays Armory in 1897, a Camp Wise view from 1907, and a Big Sister scene from 1919. The bulk of the photographs, however, illustrate the varied activities taken on by the Cleveland Section in the 1960s and 1970s. Local community service projects included the preparation of the Access Guide to Cleveland for Disabled and Elderly Individuals, volunteer work at the Mount Pleasant Community Center, Thrift Shops, and the establishment of Council Gardens (1963) for healthy senior citizens and Council House (1979) for men with mental illness. National activities were represented by various conventions and legislative meetings with congressmen Tom Lantos and Charles Vanik and senators John Glenn and Howard Metzenbaum. International activities included Ship-a-Box, which sent toys to Israel. In addition, the collection is well represented with fashion shows and luncheons, popular social and fundraising events of this period. Many individual and group portraits of women active in the organization are also found in this collection, including Ruth Einstein, who is credited with the idea of Council Gardens, and past presidents Isabelle Brown, Iris Curtis, Ernestine Greenberger, Maddy Joseph, Betty Mintz, Barbara Sobel, Jo Tramer, Yetta Wasserman, and Peggy Wasserstrom.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically.
The researcher should also consult MS 3620 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records; MS 4586 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records, Series II; MS 4783 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records, Series III; and PG 118 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs.
Processed by Jane A. Avner in 1998.
None.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 496 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gifts of the Cleveland Section, National Council of Jewish Women in 1975, 1979, 1982, 1985 and 1993.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.