Finding aid for the Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, Series II

History of Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter

Jewish Women International (f. 1897) was founded in San Francisco, California, as Ruth Lodge No. 1, the first auxiliary of B'nai B'rith. The first permanent auxiliary, San Francisco No. 1, was founded in 1909, and auxiliaries grew rapidly, reaching a peak in the 1950s with 600 chapters. In 1963, the auxiliaries became an independent organization, calling themselves B'nai B'rith Women. The organization has incorporated prominent issues into its mission, including anti-Semitism, reproductive rights, and domestic violence. B'nai B'rith Women changed its name to Jewish Women International in 1995. Since the establishment of the organization, Cleveland has been home to fourteen chapters, beginning with the Heights Chapter #119, which was founded in 1933. Declining membership in the 1980s resulted in consolidation into Greater Cleveland Chapter #1736 in 1984, consisting of 1,500 members.

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, Series II, 1955-1983 and undated, consist of agendas, applications, brochures, certificates, correspondence, lists, scrapbooks, scripts, and speeches.

The collection is of value to researchers studying the history of Cleveland, Ohio, Jewish Women International and women's social organizations. Those studying Jewish organizations in the Cleveland area will also find this collection of interest. It is of value to those researching the activities and programming of the Cleveland Council of Jewish Women International. Of special note is the scrapbook describing recruitment programs undertaken in 1977-1978 to remedy declining membership prior to the chapter consolidations.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

Researchers should also consult MS 4832 Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records; and MS 5141 Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, Series III.

All photographs have been removed 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:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder___ ] MS 5007 Jewish Women International, Cleveland Chapter Records, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of Irene Bernstein in 2004.

Processing Information

Processed Greg Corkran in 2008.

Detailed Description of The Collection