NCJW Trifold brochure 8.5x5.5_Flipbook

OUR
HISTORY
In 1893, the Chicago World’s Fair was
held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the
discovery of the New World. Hannah
Greenbaum Solomon was asked to organize a
group of American Jewish women at the Fair’s
Parliament of Religions. She brought together
ninety-five representative Jewish women from
across the United States to discuss issues
pertinent to their time. This group became the
National Council of Jewish Women. In the last
decades of the 19th century, these women became
involved in settlement homes, adult study circles,
vocational training for young girls, free health
dispensaries, school health inspection programs, day
nurseries and assistance to the poor.
Twenty-nine years later, on September 12, 1922, at 20 Thomson Place, Lynbrook, New
York, twelve women assembled at the home of Mrs. H. M. Kanwit. There they met with
Mrs. Harry Sternberger, Secretary of the National Council of Jewish Women. They laid
the foundation for South Shore Section, whose concerns would be education,
community service and social action.
The first open meeting of the South Shore Section was held two months later at the
Hebrew Education Alliance on November 13, 1922. Section President, Mrs. Moolten,
quoted Abraham Lincoln in what was to be the conscious of South Shore Section and
the driving force behind the work it would do, “with malice toward none, charity for all.”
For over a century, the National Council of Jewish Women has been at the forefront of
social change – championing the needs of women, children and families – while
courageously taking a progressive stance on such issues as child welfare, women’s rights,
and reproductive freedom. That pioneering spirit continues to this day. The National
Council of Jewish Women is a place where women from across society come together
to make the world at large as well as their own communities, a better place for women,
children and families. NCJW embraces women of diverse backgrounds and
temperaments, thinkers and doers, who want to play a part at the local, national, and
even global level. Yet, all who come to NCJW share a belief that progressive ideals put
into action can improve the world. National Council of Jewish Women is the most
potent, most effective, most satisfying place where you can turn your beliefs into
meaningful action.
2