National Council of Jewish Women, Chicago Section records, 1899-1973, bulk 1920-1970

Processed with funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Research use of this collection is governed by the standard rules and regulations of the Chicago History Museum Research Center.

Copyright may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law, unless otherwise noted.

Gift of the National Council of Jewish Women, Chicago Section M1973.0052

National Council of Jewish Women, Chicago Section records (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Meeting minutes, annual reports, financial records, correspondence, periodicals, newsletters, press releases, brochures, pamphlets, directories, manuals, scripts, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and other records of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Chicago Section, a community service organization. Materials relate to services offered by the NCJW, both locally and nationally, such as job placement for immigrants and youth, scholarships and courses; care packages for servicemen and Jewish orphans during World War Two; and the Council Camp, a Jewish family camp in Wauconda (Ill.). Present are biographical materials pertaining to Hannah Greenebaum Solomon, founder and first president of the NCJW, and president of the Chicago Section for 12 years.

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a community service organization founded in 1893. NCJW (formerly known as the Council of Jewish Women until 1923) grew out of the Jewish Women's Congress, a group formed to organize the participation of Jewish women in the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The Chicago Section, the founding section, was organized by Hannah Greenebaum Solomon, who served as first president of the national organization and as president of the Chicago chapter for 12 years. NCJW provided educational, humanitarian, religious, and social services locally, nationally, and internationally for Jewish women, children, and families. As of 2010, NCJW had over 100 sections nationwide.

Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the National Council of Jewish Women, Chicago Section photograph collection (1980.0134); the Greenebaum sisters' travel journals; and publications of the National Council of Jewish Women, Chicago Section, cataloged separately.

• Subject
  • Charities--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Jews--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Jewish women--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Jewish women--United States--Societies and clubs
  • Social service--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Women--Illinois--Chicago--Societies and clubs--20th century
  • Women in charitable work--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
• Names
  • Solomon, Hannah G. (Hannah Greenebaum), 1858-1942
  • Council of Jewish Women (U.S.). Chicago Association of Jewish Women
  • National Council of Jewish Women
  • National Council of Jewish Women. Chicago Section--Archives
  • National Council of Jewish Women. Dept. of Service for Foreign Born
• Geographic Coverage
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Social conditions--20th century
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Social life and customs--20th century

The collection is arranged in six series.

Series 1. Meeting minutes, 1920-1968 (box 1-4)

Series 1 consists of meeting minutes pertaining to the administration and activities of the NCJW, Chicago Section. Included are minutes of the board of directors, the president's council, the executive committee, and the service board. Minutes include financial reports and membership information.

Series 2. Administrative records, 1899-1973 (box 5-6)

Series 2 contains annual reports, financial statements, newsletters, directories, manuals, policies and procedures, programs, and dramatic scripts related to both local and national administration of the NCJW. Topics of the manuals include budgets, fundraising, scholarships, and program planning. Some materials pertain to the 75th anniversary of the organization. Also included are a small amount of annual reports, minutes, and other records of the Department of Service for the Foreign Born, a unit of the NCJW that assisted recent immigrants to the United States.

Series 3. Community service and activities, 1939-1970 (box 7, 12-13)

Series 3 consists of press releases, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and reports related to community services provided by the NCJW. Services include: job placement for immigrants and youth; courses and scholarships for the study of civics, international relations, and legislation; homes in Greece and France for women survivors of the Holocaust; operating a Jewish family camp (known as Council Camp) in Wauconda (Ill.); sending supplies to orphans and servicemen overseas during World War II; operating a hospitality booth at a military induction center; and writing book reviews. Present are reports on Jewish immigration and naturalization services in Chicago and of the Job Opportunities for Youth (JOY) program. Also included are five scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings and mementos recognizing the activities and achievements of the NCJW.

Series 4. Advertisement books, 1947-1972 (box 8)

Series 4 consists of advertising directories published annually by the NCJW, Chicago Section for fundraising and marketing purposes.

Series 5. Hannah Greenebaum Solomon, 1933-1960 (box 9)

Series 5 contains biographical information about Hannah Greenebaum Solomon. Included is correspondence from prominent individuals regarding Solomon's death and memorial service; correspondence and other papers related to the 100th birthday anniversary celebration in honor of Solomon; a brochure about the dedication of the Hannah G. Solomon elementary school in Chicago; and remembrances, obituaries, and a eulogy. Also present is the transcript of an address given by Solomon on radio station WMAQ (1933).

Series 6. Publications, 1905, 1916-1973 (box 10-11)

Series 6 is comprised of a selection of local and national publications of the NCJW, such as periodicals, programs, and newsletters. Included are triennial convention programs; The Bulletin; Council-Wise; Council Woman; and The Jewish Woman. Also present are performance programs, membership directories, brochures, and pamphlets.