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 sponsored five annual English, hygiene and business classes for up to twenty-five students per course. Over the decade, classes in civics, literacy and Bible were added as well.
During this time, NCJW Dallas’ Sewing Circle produced thousands of garments, some for local day nurseries and families in need, and others for shipments to Ellis Island. Supply kept pace with demand as the New Orleans Home for Jewish Children, Dallas Baby Camp, the Tuberculosis Hospital, and the Federated Charities joined the list of beneficiaries. Notably, this endeavor didn’t utilize any of our treasury funds: volunteers persuaded local merchants to donate materials and charged themselves 10 cents for each cup of coffee consumed while working.
In 1923, NCJW Dallas focused on the local tuberculosis epidemic. The Milk Fund, nowadays Dallas Milk Bank, began as an auxiliary of the Tuberculosis Committee.
NCJW Dallas also campaigned to motivate every Jewish woman to register to vote and began its pioneering work on behalf of the blind. The new Braille instruction for young women initiative persuaded the Dallas Public Library to create a Braille books section and secured free medical attention for blind patients. In addition, the project partnered with United Charities to secure financial assistance for the visually impaired, persuaded the Dallas Board of Education to serve blind children as well as theater managers to install hearing aids during performances.
Finally, NCJW Dallas also advocated for prison system reform and supported the placement of mentally-ill inmates in hopsitals rather than in prison.
Presidents:
1921-1923 Gussie Utay *
1923-1924 Grace Goldstein*
1924-1925 Grace Goldstein Neuman*
1925-1927 Stella Andress*
1927-1929 Rae Mittenthal*
1929-1931 Grace Florence*
* of blessed memory
January 18 ,2018 Birthday Luncheon and Fundraiser