National Council of Jewish Women
Title
National Council of Jewish Women
Description
The desire to be proudly Jewish + fully American animated the founding of the National Council of Jewish Women.
The US Jewish pop. in the 1880s was still heavily German and Sephardi - small, successful groups. The massive influx of Eastern European Jews was just beginning.
NCJW was created in 1893, in conjunction with the World Parliament of Religions at the Chicago World’s Fair. (The Parliament was the biggest event at the Fair; the Congress of Representative Women, where many of our heroines spoke, was the 2d-biggest.)
In its first two decades, @NCJW combined upper-class clubwomen and the growing cohort of more politicized Jewish women working in settlement houses. “The two factions came together in their commitment to social justice, the preservation of Judaism and the Jewish community in the US, and a vision of religion that combined the two.” --Faith Rogow @InsightersEd
NCJW study circles were modeled on existing women’s clubs, but studying Jewish texts instead of European literature. NCJW tried to educate Jewish women while straddling denominational divisions in American Jewish life, which was never easy.
Though politically progressive, NCJW never formally endorsed women’s suffrage. No single, clear reason for their reluctance has been identified. It irked the many ardent suffragists in its own membership, and disappointed suffrage leaders across decades.
Susan B Anthony and Anna Howard Shaw cornered NCJW leader Rebekah Kohut on a visit to Congress in 1896. They “demanded to know why Jewish organizations did not take their place among American women’s groups fighting for their rights.” (Melissa Klapper)
NCJW’s recalcitrance doesn't reflect American Jews' overwhelming support for votes for women. Over the next few days we’ll meet some of the most colorful Jewish suffragists and anti-suffragists, including a pair of warring sisters. Chag sameach, Happy Passover. #Suffrage100
The US Jewish pop. in the 1880s was still heavily German and Sephardi - small, successful groups. The massive influx of Eastern European Jews was just beginning.
NCJW was created in 1893, in conjunction with the World Parliament of Religions at the Chicago World’s Fair. (The Parliament was the biggest event at the Fair; the Congress of Representative Women, where many of our heroines spoke, was the 2d-biggest.)
In its first two decades, @NCJW combined upper-class clubwomen and the growing cohort of more politicized Jewish women working in settlement houses. “The two factions came together in their commitment to social justice, the preservation of Judaism and the Jewish community in the US, and a vision of religion that combined the two.” --Faith Rogow @InsightersEd
NCJW study circles were modeled on existing women’s clubs, but studying Jewish texts instead of European literature. NCJW tried to educate Jewish women while straddling denominational divisions in American Jewish life, which was never easy.
Though politically progressive, NCJW never formally endorsed women’s suffrage. No single, clear reason for their reluctance has been identified. It irked the many ardent suffragists in its own membership, and disappointed suffrage leaders across decades.
Susan B Anthony and Anna Howard Shaw cornered NCJW leader Rebekah Kohut on a visit to Congress in 1896. They “demanded to know why Jewish organizations did not take their place among American women’s groups fighting for their rights.” (Melissa Klapper)
NCJW’s recalcitrance doesn't reflect American Jews' overwhelming support for votes for women. Over the next few days we’ll meet some of the most colorful Jewish suffragists and anti-suffragists, including a pair of warring sisters. Chag sameach, Happy Passover. #Suffrage100
Creator
Daily Suffragist
Source
Date
08/04/2020
Files
Collection
Citation
Daily Suffragist, “National Council of Jewish Women,” Daily Suffragist, accessed April 24, 2024, https://dailysuffragist.omeka.net/items/show/345.