National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Hartford section records

The National Council of Jewish Women was founded in 1893 in New York. In 1910, the Hartford Section was formed, comprised primarily of German-Jewish women from Congregation Beth Israel who were concerned with aiding the East European Jews immigrating to this country.

In 1911, the Hartford Section purchased the property at 35 Winthrop Street. Soon after, NCJW members established programs to address the needs of children living in poverty by setting up non-sectarian milk distribution stations and offering home visits by nurses.

The local NCJW sponsored many other programs. The danger of prostitution was mitigated by NCJW members providing at-risk young women with lodging, jobs and regular personal contact. NCJW offered Americanization programs to help immigrants adjust to their new home and a religious school for children in families unaffiliated with any synagogue, as well. It was the policy of NCJW to continue their activities in fulfilling local needs until the need no longer existed or until governmental or professional organizations took over the obligation.

NCJW women not only gave their own time to directly help less unfortunate. These women also recognized the importance of battling social problems at the legislative level. They championed child labor laws, low-income housing, food and drug laws, and world peace.

Toward the middle of the 20th century, NCJW undertook additional activities, such as the establishment of a scholarship fund and interfaith meetings while continuing their other long-standing programs. The NCJW responded to each new emerging social need including those of immigrant refugees fleeing Hitler.

As society changed following WWII, so did the NCJW. In 1952, an evening branch of the Hartford Section was founded for the growing population of women who worked during the day. In May 1979, the day and evening sections were joined, and all meetings were primarily evening meetings thereafter.

As immigration slowed, the immigrant aid programs were closed and the volunteers reallocated to new projects. The NCJW continued its concern for the well being of children with a troubled youth intervention program in connection with the Juvenile Court. The Council also sponsored programs for mentally challenged youth and aided fund drives for various other youth-related charitable programs.

In the 1970s and 1980s the NCJW responded to the plight of Soviet Jewry. NCJW became active in lobbying for the free passage of Soviet Jews and aided in the subsequent resettlement of Soviet Jewish immigrants in the Hartford area.

Today the NCJW continues to serve the entire non-sectarian community through legislative activism, "meals on wheels," soup kitchen support, scholarships, fundraising for children's needs both in Hartford and in Israel, and many other programs.