History

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In 1913, a group of 75 women formed the first Jewish women’s organization in Dallas – the NCJW Dallas. Then, as now, NCJW 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.

Inspired by Jewish values – and our understanding that these values are universal – NCJW is the place where women come together to make the world at large and their communities a better place.

 

The NCJW Dallas History Book

Our complete history is available as Repairing Our World: The First 100 Years of the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section, 1913-2013 .

We are grateful for the hard work of all the book contributors. Bette Miller has undertaken the task of producing a history book.  Marlene Cohen and Rosie Stromberg have worked very closely with her.

You can BUY THE BOOK HERE.

2000 to now

The year 2002 brought the formation of Hannah’s Group, our advocacy arm, which proudly represented our organization with the largest group in attendance at the 2002 Women’s Equality Day Commemoration at Dallas City Hall. Nomi Eve, author of The Family … Continue reading →

1990-2000

In 1990, Mayor Annette Strauss, an NCJW member herself, welcomed the delegates to the last NCJW Southern District Convention. Evening Branch featured Norma McCorvey during a pro-choice program. Professional Branch hosted a Sunday brunch program with investigative journalist Laura Miller, … Continue reading →

1980-1990

1981 saw the formation of Professional Branch as an auxiliary group for both women and men. In 1982, SHARE was created as a tribute fund for social service and public affairs projects not covered in the budget. Community projects included … Continue reading →

1970-1980

In 1970, NCJW Dallas innovated and started funding the first county jail social worker’s salary. In 1971, we initiated the first NCJW Summit meeting in Israel, which included dinner with Golda Meir at the Knesset. Past-president Katherine Bauer, had the … Continue reading →

1960-1970

1960 marked the beginning of NCJW Dallas’ first community-wide project: Operation Lift (Literacy Instruction for Texas). The challenge was to recruit volunteer teachers and students and to establish a community-wide system of teaching centers. Accepting our challenge, for six months, … Continue reading →

1950-1960

In 1951, NCJW Dallas pioneered the first after-school program. One of our former Vice Presidents who was also a teacher, championed the possibility of an after-school program and, after concerted, efforts we initiated a program in the basement of City … Continue reading →

1940-1950

In 1941, NCJW Dallas lent 84 workers to the largest volunteer project ever attempted in Dallas. Soundex was the Council of Social Agencies’s massive effort to codify 300,000 case histories. The project spanned over eleven weeks, it amassed 2,000 volunteer … Continue reading →

1930-1940

During this decade, NCJW Dallas focused on its ongoing project for the blind and purchased an automobile to transport workers. Volunteers operated the Talking Book program and compiled a history of Dallas’ blind for the School Board’s edification. A volunteer … Continue reading →

1920-1930

NCJW Dallas embarked on its second decade with an ambitious advocacy agenda. The Americanization Committee cooperated with other Jewish organizations to enable and encourage immigrants, particularly Jewish women, to become citizens by guiding them through the naturalization process. NCJW Dallas … Continue reading →

1913-1920

The newly-founded NCJW Dallas had community service as its core. As early as 1914, five volunteer projects were underway – Immigrant Aid, Medical Inspection of Schools, Penny Luncheon, Day Nursery and Free Kindergarten – all reflective of progressive Jewish values … Continue reading →