Finding aid for the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs

History of the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section

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.

Scope and Content

The National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs, ca. 1920-1960, consist of photographs, negatives, slides, and an album, relating to the members and activities of the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section, of Cleveland, Ohio. Included are photographs of the Council-sponsored Thrift Shop, a toy project, individual and group portraits of members at various functions, photographs of guest speakers, and photographs of the Martha House.

The collection includes approximately 160 photographs, black and white and color, measuring 8 x 10 inches and smaller. It also contains two black and white negatives measuring 7.5 x 10 inches.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of the Jewish community in Cleveland, Ohio, in the twentieth century, and the history of women, charity, and philanthropy in Cleveland.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult PG 496 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs, Series II; MS 3620 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records; MS 4586 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records, Series II; and MS 4783 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records, Series III.

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 ___ ] PG 118 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

These photographs were removed from MS 3620 National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section Records. Gift of the Cleveland Section National Council of Jewish Women in 1974.

Detailed Description of The Collection