National Council of Jewish Women, New Bedford Section records

The National Council of Jewish Women was founded in 1893 by Hannah G. Salomon for the purpose of advancing human welfare and a democratic way of life through education, service and social action on local, national and international levels. It is the oldest Jewish women’s volunteer organization in America. The New Bedford Section of NCJW was established on February 17, 1915 with 31 charter members. One of their first projects was the Sew for the Soldiers program during World War I, in which members rolled bandages, knitted scarves and sold war bonds. They also provided relief funds for stricken Jews in war-torn Europe and sent funds to the Zionist Organization in Jerusalem. Since 1922 the annual ball has been held in conjunction with the Fall River section Over the years the council has supported and administered a variety of programs which carry out the national organizational goals, and which meet local needs both in the Jewish community and the community at large. Local activities include monthly meetings, with speakers on a variety of educational topics, fund-raising events, and scholarship balls. Through the New Bedford Section, Jewish youth receive camp and college scholarships, recent immigrants receive resettlement aid, and elderly are visited at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home. A “Medical Loan Chest” functions for the community at large to lend equipment to those who cannot afford it. “Ship-a-box” makes funds available to purchase toys, clothing and educational materials for children in Israel. Major section projects included in these records are the Shalom Israel 6th Grade School Curriculum Program, 1986-1994, used to supplement social studies curriculum in public and private schools, and the Adolescent Girls in the Juvenile Justice System, 1977-1982, a nationwide survey of services available to girls (the New Bedford Section’s 1982 final report is in folder #79). The council supports many women’s issues, especially as they impact women’s rights and the welfare of children. The NCJW Web site is located at www.ncjw.org. Charter members included Mrs. Harry Lumiansky, Mrs. Hyman Mendelson, Mrs. Hyman Mechaber, Mrs. Samuel Leen, Mrs. Jacob Horvitz, Mrs. Abe Lipman, Mrs. William Beserosky, Mrs. S. Mondheim, Mrs. Samuel Herman, Mrs. Joseph Mendelson Rubinstein and Mrs. Simon Beserosky.