Finding aid for the Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter
Title: Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records
Dates: 1947-1993
Extent: 1.00 linear feet (3 containers)
Abstract: The first Cleveland, Ohio, chapter of B'nai B'rith Women, the original name of Jewish Women International, was founded in 1933. During the 1930s and 1940s, eleven more chapters were created, with one more in the 1950s. Cleveland area chapters assisted in the organization of Women's District Grand Lodge No. 2. The district was headed by Clevelanders Mrs. David Copland in 1936 and Lydia Woldman in 1940. Declining numbers in the 1980s caused a restructuring of the local chapters, combining 12 chapters into one new chapter, #1736. In 1995, the organization changed its name to Jewish Women International. The collection consists of minutes, newsletters, programs, newspaper clippings, certificates, and scrapbooks.
MS Number MS 4832
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

History of the Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter

Jewish Women International (f. 1897) began in San Francisco to promote social activities among B'nai B'rith families. The first B'nai B'rith auxiliary was founded in 1909, and auxiliaries grew rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s to 178 groups and over 17,000 members reaching a peak in the 1950s with 600 chapters. In 1963 B'nai B'rith Women became an independent organization. The organization's mission has adapted to changing issues facing women, children, and families, including anti-Semitism, reproductive rights, and domestic violence. In 1995 the organization changed its name to Jewish Women International.

In Cleveland, the first chapter of B'nai B'rith Women was the Heights Chapter #119, founded in 1933, followed one month later by the Cleveland Chapter #121. During the 1930s and 1940s eleven more chapters were created, with one more in the 1950s. In addition, Cleveland chapters assisted in the organization of Women's District Grand Lodge No. 2, which included several midwestern states. The district was headed by Clevelanders Mrs. David Copland in 1936 and Lydia Woldman in 1940. In 1953, Woldman also served as president of the Women's Supreme Council, the national body which coordinated 620 chapters. Declining numbers in the 1980s caused a restructuring of the local chapters, combining twelve chapters into one new chapter, #1736, consisting of 1,500 women.


Scope and Content

The Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, 1947-1995, consist of minutes, newsletters, programs, newspaper clippings, certificates, and scrapbooks.

This collection is of value to researchers seeking information about women's organizations in general, and Jewish women's organizations in the Cleveland metropolitan area specifically. Of interest is the prize-winning scrapbook of the Century Chapter, compiled in 1958-1959. Also of interest are the local chapters' fundraising efforts for World War II soldiers; children's homes in Israel; Bellefaire, the residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescents; and B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at Case Western Reserve University.


Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by chapter name, and then chronologically.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Related Material

The researcher should also consult MS 5007 Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, Series II; and MS 5141 Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, Series III.

Separated Material

All photographs have been transferred to the photograph and print collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Charities -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Jewish Women International (Organization) Cleveland Chapter.
Jewish women -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Societies and clubs.
Jews -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Charities.
Women -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Societies and clubs.
Women in charitable work -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Women volunteers in social service -- Ohio -- Cleveland.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4832 Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Jewish Women International, 1995, 1996, and 2000

Processing Information

Processed by Jane A. Avner in 2000

Detailed Description of The Collection

Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records 1947-1995 undated

Box Folder
1 1 Beth Ami and Chai Chapters, newsletters and program flyers 1972 1981-1983
1 2 B'nai B'rith Men and B'nai B'rith Women, newspaper clippings and program flyers 1968 1970 1975-1976 1978 1985 1989 1995 undated
1 3 Century Chapter, scrapbook, photographs, newsletters, and newspaper clippings (Original stored in Container 2, Folder 12, Oversize Materials) 1958-1959
1 4 Gateway Chapter, certificate (Original stored in Container 2, Folder 13, Oversize Materials) 1957
1 5 Gateway chapter, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, newsletters, correspondence, drawings, and photographs (Originals stored in Container 3, Folders 14 and 15, Oversize Materials) 1957-1958 1977
1 6 Greater Cleveland Chapter, minutes, newsletters, correspondence, lists, program flyers, certificate, and newspaper clippings (Certificate, 1982, original stored in Container 3, Folder 16, Oversize Materials) 1969 1973 1975-1976 1978-1979 1981-1985 1987
1 7 Kadima Chapter, correspondence and lists 1978-1980
1 8 . .
1 9 Stephen Sherman Chapter, charter and plaque (Originals stored in Container 3, Folder 16, Oversize Materials) 1960 undated
1 10 University Heights Chapter, certificates 1948
1 11 University Heights chapter, scrapbook, newspaper clippings, photographs, and program flyers 1947-1948
Box Folder
2 12-13 Oversize material described in Folders 3 and 4 .
Box Folder
3 14-17 Oversize material described in Folders 5, 6, and 9 .