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National Jewish Women's Council Jacksonville Section Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0617

Scope and Content

The National Jewish Women's Council Jacksonville Section Records date from 1939 to 2019 and are arranged into three series.

Series 1. "General Documents" dates from 1941-2019 and contains project and program files, board meeting minutes, budgets, annual reports, National Council records, anniversary documents, and news clippings. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 2. "Scrapbooks and Photographs" dates from 1939-1999 and contains scrapbooks composed of news clippings, newsletters, photographs, meeting minutes and other documents related to the council section's activities, including key projects/programs, and photographs depicting members and special events and activities. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series 3. "Certificates and Awards" dates from 1963-1984 and contains certificates and awards received by the Jacksonville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women.

Dates

  • Creation: 1939 - 2019
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1939 - 2006

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) was originally founded in 1893 by Hannah G. Solomon as a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates for progressive ideals including women’s and children’s rights, assisting Jewish immigrants, and advancing social welfare. The council collaborates and partners with other organizations including local establishments, public schools, local government agencies, human service providers, faith-based institutions, and other non-profits, and elected officials. The organization also maintains a deep connection with Israel and promoting welfare there. Present work includes safeguarding and expanding access to abortion and contraception, protecting and promoting the right to vote, and pushing for fair, independent, and qualified judges on federal courts. The group works to achieve its objectives through lobbying, research, education, and community engagement. The NCJW’s headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. and there are other offices in numerous cities in the United States as well as in Israel. As of 2021, there were 60 sections in 30 states.

The Jacksonville, Florida Section of the National Council of Jewish Women was founded on November 22, 1939. Over the years the section worked to promote social welfare by developing and engaging in numerous projects including assistance to new immigrants, toy lending and nursery support, support to local servicemen during WW2, hospitals, the elderly, libraries and schools, juvenile justice reform, support for the detection of Tay Sachs disease, art programs for children, and many other social programs. The section also implemented numerous partnership programs including working with the Northeast Society for the Prevention of Blindness and the creation of the Mental Health Forum in association with Florida Junior College. In 2008 the section was dissolved.

Sources:

"About Us - the National Council of Jewish Women." National Council of Jewish Women, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.ncjw.org/about/.

"National Council of Jewish Women." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Jewish_Women.

Rider, Wini. "Nine decades of achievement: Jewish group celebrates anniverary." Times-Union, 1983.

Extent

4.32 Linear Feet (7 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Scrapbooks, photographs, news clippings, meeting minutes, reports, project files, awards, and other documents pertaining to the Jacksonville, Florida Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).

Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

Donated by Martha Kaplan Backer in 2022 and Glorida Einstein in 2023.

Title
A Guide to the National Jewish Women's Council Jacksonville Section Records
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Matt Kruse
Date
May 2023
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755