Portrait photograph of a large group of Hadassah members in costume. Founded in 1912, Hadassah is the second-oldest independent Jewish women's organization in the United States. Hadassah draws on both the ideology of Zionism and on women's sense of social responsibility to elicit support for Israel, youth activities and educational services. National programs that were implemented in Minnesota included "linen showers" for medical units, money collection for school lunch programs in Palestine, and providing Jewish-German children foster-homes in Palestine during WWII. Members also made time to play and socialize.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
The Minneapolis Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women was founded in 1894 by Nina Morais Cohen. Cohen was a nationally recognized leader: when Susan B. Anthony came to Minneapolis, she stayed at Nina and Emanuel Cohen's home. The N. C. J. W. is a volunteer organization working for social change based upon Jewish values. In its earliest years, volunteers worked in settlement houses, acted as juvenile court advocates, helped provide vocational training for immigrant and poor women and girls, and helped develop free school-based health services. Fanny Brin is second from the right.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
This group of neighbors would meet informally at members' houses over the years. Their connection was geographic (North Side) rather than congregational (synagogue-related).
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
B'nai Brith Young Women's Organization is the B'nai Brith Young Women's organization. It was the women's division of B'nai Brith, the oldest continuously operating Jewish service organization in the world. The St. Paul B. B. Y. W. O. chapter had offices at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Sans their bowling shoes, these members of B'nai B'rith women's bowling league proudly display their hardware. Left to right: Sally Orenstein, Mary Effress, Ethel Frank, Rae Davis, Jessie Swatez, Kathy Sigel.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives